Ukraine needs Ukrainian heroes alive, Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes, noting that this is the country’s main principle. The statement came in a video address to the nation, published in the late hours of Monday as the President commented on the situation at Mariupol’s Azovstal steelworks.

“Thanks to the actions of the Ukrainian military - the Armed Forces of Ukraine, intelligence, the negotiating team, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations - we hope that we will be able to save the lives of our guys”, - Zelensky said.

He recalled that there are seriously wounded servicemen among them, who are now being provided with medical aid.

“I’d like to emphasize: Ukraine needs Ukrainian heroes alive. This is our principle. I think that every adequate person will understand these words”, - stressed the President.

The operation to rescue the Mariupol defenders was started by the Ukrainian military and intelligence operatives, the president explained, adding that “to bring our boys home”, the operation requires “delicacy” and “time”.