Grand Celebrations Or Other Brazen Things Unacceptable In Times Of War – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that times of war is unacceptable for grand celebrations.

Zelenskyy made the statement in a video broadcast on Monday shortly after the news of the bomb blast that occurred at Chayky village in the Kyiv region of Ukraine, killing a birthday celebrant, Major Gennadiy Chastyakov while opening a birthday gift filled with grenades.

Exploded grenade among the birthday gifts killed the army major who is one of the close aides to Valeriy Zaluzhny, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Valeriy Zaluzhny in a statement on Monday identified the victim as his close aide, Major Gennadiy Chastyakov. Zaluzhny has also stated that the explosion happened during the birthday celebration, and explosives were allegedly hidden in one of the gifts.

Zelenskyy in the video broadcast said thus:

“We all see that now is not the time for grand celebrations or other brazen things in the rear, which are unacceptable in times of war, and even more so when the army, when all our defense forces live with completely different emotions: pain, battles, losses, but also achievements – achievements for Ukraine. And we all understand that now, in wartime, when there are so many challenges, it is absolutely irresponsible to throw the topic of elections into society in a lighthearted and playful way.

“The resource of the state, the resource of the budget, the resource of our attention, emotions, efforts – all this is needed for our victory. We all see people demanding that budget resources be allocated to help the defense instead of paving and repairing streets. This is the right thing to do. All resources should be used to make Ukraine stronger.

“We all hear what needs to be changed in the defense forces themselves: many procedures that are redundant, many difficulties that our warriors face. Transfers, training, and supply. There are many tasks. And all the relevant structures must deal with them without diverting their energy and efforts to anything else.

“I expect all relevant structures and authorities to provide concrete solutions to the challenges that our country faces today. This applies to the civilian authorities, the military element of the state, the government officials, the Verkhovna Rada, the Security Service and other law enforcement agencies.

“It also means that the state needs to be much more focused on defense – everyone in the state, and especially at the regional level, in the rear cities that have the resources to help and support.

“This also applies to ensuring that tragedies like the one that happened to the servicemen of the 128th brigade never happen again. And to the changes our soldiers and commanders expect, especially the guys who were mobilized. And finally, the waves of any politically divisive things must stop.

“My personal attitude and call is to take care of our country just as on February 24, to defend it, to destroy the occupier, to fight for the freedom of Ukraine, which is now being gained in the battles for Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!”