"Life will prevail": Zelensky honors soldiers on Ukraine's Defenders Day
Photo: video screenshot / Office of the President of Ukraine
On October 1, President Volodymyr Zelensky commemorated Ukraine's Defenders Day, paying tribute to the brave soldiers fighting for Ukraine's freedom and independence against the Russian occupation army.
Rubryka covers the lyceum's oath-taking ceremony and the presentation of state awards in honor of Ukraine's Defenders Day.
The president stated that the defenders have consistently shown their bravery and courage on the field of battle. Zelensky highlighted the unwavering dedication of Ukrainian soldiers, who have voluntarily fought for 951 days for the sake of Ukraine.
"Today is a great day – the Day of the defenders of Ukraine. Your day, the day of those, thanks to whom tomorrow comes, thanks to whom Ukraine exists, and we stand here, on our land, in our capital, under our flags. Thanks to whom life will prevail. Thanks to you, indomitable and brave people of great courage who are doing a great job defending Ukraine," the president said.
The president also presented state awards on the occasion of Ukraine's Defenders Day.
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It's worth mentioning that for the past ten years, the celebration of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos has been officially recognized as Ukraine's Defenders Day. This religious holiday, now observed on October 1 (formerly October 14) due to the church calendar reform in Ukraine, holds great significance for the Ukrainian military.
For a long time in Ukraine, which gained its independence, the Soviet holiday "Defender of the Fatherland Day" was observed by the state on February 23.
Фото: Defenders Day. Photo: WikipediaSince 2014, following the annexation of Crimea and Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, the Intercession holiday has taken on a new significance for the Ukrainian people. After the Revolution of Dignity, the nation's focus shifted not only towards the EU and NATO but also towards decommunization and establishing a strong national state with a powerful military.
Ukraine's Defenders Day was officially established on October 14, 2014, by the decree of former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Starting from 2015, the holiday has also been recognized as a non-working day celebrated by the public. Then, in August 2021, President Volodymyr Zelensky took the initiative to rename the holiday as Ukraine's Male and Female Defenders Day in an effort to promote gender equality.
Starting in 2023, the church calendar reform in Ukraine resulted in the celebration being moved from the usual October 14 to October 1.
