"Working and serving": Zelensky criticized the Rada for taking a day off amid the threat from "Oreshnik" (video).
The Verkhovna Rada, government agencies, embassies, and authorities in the capital, regions, districts, and communities should not cease operations unless there is an air raid signal. Politicians and civil servants must heed warnings from intelligence agencies about the threat of an incoming missile from the Russian Federation known as "Oreshnik," but this is not a reason to declare an unnecessary day off. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his views on the cancellation of the Rada meeting in his evening address on November 22.
The head of state recalled that the session of the Verkhovna Rada was canceled on November 22 due to a supposed risk of being hit by the latest Russian missile, "Oreshnik." He clarified that after 1003 days of war, everyone should have familiarized themselves with safety protocols and know how to respond to air raid signals. This means taking shelter if there is a real threat of an attack from the Russians. If there is no signal, work should continue—for both the people's deputies and other state institutions.
"And we should regard information, particularly from intelligence, as information rather than as permission for a day off. When the siren sounds, we go to shelter. When there is no siren, we work and serve. In war, it cannot be any other way," Zelensky concluded.
The president explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to intimidate Ukrainians, and they should not succumb to this pressure. He emphasized the need to act in a way that "brings the war back home, to Russia."
Additionally, at the beginning of his address, President Zelensky discussed the investigation into the Russian strike on Dnipro, during which the "Oreshnik" missile was used. Ukraine is uncovering more details, which it will later share with the media and partners regarding additional air defense resources, he stated.
Zelensky's Statement on Oreshnik — Reactions from MPs
MP Oleksiy Honcharenko reacted to the president's speech. In his view, the president should not blame the Rada, officials, and embassies, as he is ultimately responsible for all decisions in the country. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak echoed this sentiment, reminding that the president's party, "Servant of the People," holds the majority in the Rada, and noted that the faction leaders only received notification about the session's cancellation without any discussion taking place.
There are currently no comments on the statement from the president on the Facebook page of Speaker Ruslan Stekhanchuk or on the channel of the leader of the "Servants of the People" faction, Davyd Arakhamia.
Russia Strikes with Oreshnik Missile — Details
Notably, on the morning of November 21, the Russian Armed Forces struck Dnipro with a missile, initially little was known about its type. Video footage from the scene showed six flashes and the trajectory of projectiles falling vertically from above onto one of the city's districts. The Air Forces reported that the Russians likely used a ballistic intercontinental missile. A few hours later, Vladimir Putin issued a statement confirming that it was an experimental Oreshnik missile — a medium-range ballistic missile. Sources within the U.S. government informed Western media that Russia has only a handful of such missiles.
On the evening of November 21, MP Taras Batенко announced that the Verkhovna Rada meeting had been canceled. According to him, intelligence possesses information about the possibility of an Oreshnik strike on the government quarter. MP Oleksiy Honcharenko also reported the cancellation of the session, noting that he had been expecting a government report, which will now not take place. He also mentioned that the break would last until December.