President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during his visit to the liberated city of Izyum on September 14, 2022, that Russian troops behaved in a similar way as in the Kyiv region: they tortured residents, destroyed kindergartens and schools, and other infrastructure during the occupation of Izyum and Balaklia in the Kharkiv region.
Source: The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“You can’t get used to such things, but after Bucha, we won’t be surprised by the steps taken by Russian terrorists anymore, because we see the same thing. Again torture, destruction of schools, kindergartens. They have the same sign. I didn’t see anything new.”
Zelenskyy noted that some of the residents who remained in the city of Izyum under occupation are happy to see the Ukrainian army, while others are in shock.
“They do not understand what is happening. Because there is no light, no water, no electricity for half a year. They were under occupation for half a year and were afraid to leave. They are afraid of any changes in principle,” the President added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that the Ukrainian military accomplished the most important task – the first phase of the counteroffensive was completed.
The President also acknowledged that Ukraine suffered losses in personnel and military equipment during the counteroffensive operation, but Russian military abandoned a lot of the equipment.
See also: Torture chamber for civilians was found in Balakliia, liberated from Russian troops
