Today, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, honoring those who have defended their homeland for centuries, whose courage opens new horizons of resilience and strengthens the will to overcome obstacles and threats.

This day is about our brave people, our pain and hopes, our wounds, victories, and triumphs. We face each new day thanks to the courage and resilience of our soldiers. Pushing the limits of human capability, they fight the aggressor, showing their strength and bravery, achieving success on land and at sea.

It is thanks to our defenders that Ukraine has not fallen and will not fall. Today, we pay tribute to those who have defended the country throughout history: from the days of Kyivan Rus’ to the Sich, during the national liberation struggle, the Nazi occupation, and the fight against tyranny.

On this day, we cannot help but remember those who gave the most precious gift—their lives—for the sake of Ukraine, its people, freedom, and our future. We remember every hero who did not return home. Orest Kvach, Viktor Hurniak, Hennadii Afanasiev, Ihor Bedzai, Stanislav Karachevskyi, Seiran Kadyrov, Shura Riazantseva, known by the call sign Yalta, and many others whose names will forever remain in our memory.

We all dream of the day when we will celebrate victory in a peaceful Ukraine–together, from Uzhhorod to Donetsk, from Kyiv to Sevastopol. The day when our defenders will return to their families and celebrate victory in a free and peaceful Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!

Happy Day of Defenders of Ukraine!