President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the International Platform for the Release of Civilians Illegally Held by Russia on the 10th anniversary of resistance to occupation, stating that Ukraine and its partners must do their utmost to return all Ukrainian citizens held in Russian captivity.

No one can say exactly how many of our citizens – children and adults, soldiers and civilians – are held in Russian captivity, have been deported, held in camps, how many of our people are held in prisons in the terrorist state.

We have to do our best to bring all these people back home, to Ukraine.

Everyone has seen how our people look after Russian captivity, after that terrible abuse.

Everyone knows what atrocities our people are talking about. The world knows with what cruelty Russia tries to hide the truth about captured Ukrainians and to teach children stolen from Ukraine to hate their home.

The longer our people remain in Russian captivity, the more difficult it will be for them to return to normal life.

We must do everything possible and impossible so that this point of our Peace Formula, namely the return of all prisoners and deportees, is implemented.

It is absolutely necessary to bring Russia, every war criminal, and everyone involved in the deportation of Ukrainians and the abuse of prisoners to justice.

Significant legal steps have already been taken by the International Criminal Court along with the joint work with other nations and international organizations.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for every effort to return all Ukrainian citizens captured and deported by Russia during his address on the 10th anniversary of resistance to occupation.