President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Speech at the 81st UN General Assembly
On September 23, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a crucial address during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. His speech focused on the ongoing conflict with Russia, highlighting the scale of Russian military attacks, significant Russian casualties, the role of foreign mercenaries, and the urgent need for intensified sanctions and economic pressure against Russia.
President Zelensky arrived in New York on September 22, 2026. His visit includes approximately 20 meetings, among them a key discussion with the US President. During his address, Zelensky emphasized the relentless nature of Russian strikes against Ukraine:
- Since the beginning of the year, Russia has launched over 2,100 missiles of various types at Ukraine, including more than 950 ballistic missiles;
- In the first eight months of 2026, Russia deployed 63,000 attack drones, with over 7,700 being rocket-propelled "Shahed" drones.
The President also revealed heavy Russian losses, reporting nearly 249,000 Russian troops killed between January and August 2026. Despite Russia capturing slightly more than 1,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory this year, Ukrainian Defense Forces have already reclaimed a significant portion of these areas. Zelensky referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated promises to seize Donetsk region within months—pointing out that this marks approximately the eighteenth such pledge over the past five years.
Zelensky further spotlighted Russia’s extensive use of foreign mercenaries, noting that recruits come from 47 countries, including:
- Ghana,
- Nepal,
- Tajikistan,
- India,
- Yemen,
- Kenya,
- Zimbabwe,
- Cuba,
- Belarus,
- Sudan,
- South Africa, among others.
He urged leaders from these nations to protect their citizens and prevent them from being drawn into a foreign war.
“Our goal is to cut off Russia’s ability to fund this war, to drag it out, and make it increasingly brutal and destructive. Russian finances and industrial production must be halted if we want to stop Putin.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine
Zelensky criticized the misuse of the veto power within the UN, saying it weakens global efforts and delays peace. "When Russia has money, it always says ‘no’ to diplomacy, which is effectively a veto against peace," he stressed. He also highlighted that 21 countries worldwide have populations smaller than the number of Russian soldiers lost in the past eight months, underscoring that these figures represent real human lives.
In closing, Zelensky called for stronger sanctions on Russia and proactive international support for Ukraine, warning that "the winter of 2026 could be harsh for Ukraine due to attacks on energy infrastructure." His address underscores the critical state of Ukraine amid ongoing aggression and stresses the vital importance of decisive global action to halt the conflict and uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This speech comes at a pivotal moment, as the international community prepares for potentially intensified hostilities during the coming winter season, with energy systems under threat. Zelensky’s appeal highlights the urgent need for united global efforts to support Ukraine’s resilience and security.
In addition to the alarming statistics shared by President Zelensky, it is crucial to understand the evolving strategies employed by Russia in its military operations. For instance, recent reports shed light on Russia's innovative drone tactics in neighboring Moldova, which could indicate a broader shift in their approach to warfare and the potential implications for regional security.