The Donbas region in Ukraine has been 'completely destroyed', President Volodomyr Zelensky has said in his nightly address.
He also revealed that he had spoken to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday about "economic issues" and "also about the situation in the areas of hostilities and the evacuation of our heroes from Azovstal".
President Zelensky said: "The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue the liberation of the Kharkiv region. But in Donbas, the occupiers are trying to increase pressure. There's hell, and that's not an exaggeration.
"The brutal and absolutely pointless bombing of Severodonetsk... 12 dead and dozens wounded in just one day. The bombing and shelling of other cities, the air and missile strikes of the Russian army - all this is not just hostilities during the war.
"Russian strikes at the Chernihiv region, in particular the terrible strike at Desna, debris clearance continues, many dead; constant strikes at the Odesa region, at the cities of central Ukraine, Donbas is completely destroyed - all this doesn’t and cannot have any military explanation for Russia."
"This is a deliberate and criminal attempt to kill as many Ukrainians as possible. Destroy as many houses, social facilities and enterprises as possible.
"This is what will be qualified as the genocide of the Ukrainian people and for which the occupiers will definitely be brought to justice."
"The first trial in Ukraine against a Russian war criminal has already begun. And it will end with the full restoration of justice within the international tribunal. I'm sure of it. We will find and bring to justice all those who give and carry out criminal orders."
Parts of the Donbas are controlled by separatist groups and it is a self-proclaimed republic following a 2014 referendum - that is viewed as illegal by Ukraine and undemocratic by the international community.
Regarding his talks with Boris Johnson, President Zelensky said: "I also spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. On economic issues, in particular on the export of our agricultural products and fuel imports. And also about the situation in the areas of hostilities and the evacuation of our heroes from Azovstal. I am doing my best to keep the most influential international forces informed and, as much as possible, involved in rescuing our military."
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