“Warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,
Dear Ukrainians!
35 years ago, Ukraine restored its Independence.
But our struggle for it did not begin in 1991. Before us, there were generations of Ukrainians who fought for their state, went underground, sat in prisons, preserved the language, culture, and the right to call themselves Ukrainians back when they were punished for it.
Today, this struggle has fallen to us.
And we know the price of Independence well.
I see it every day.
In the people who have been holding the front for years. In those who take to the skies, go out to sea, shoot down missiles, and evacuate the wounded. In those who return to service after trials. In the families waiting for their loved ones.
In our military and civilians who are in Russian captivity and whom we must bring home.
In Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories who are waiting for Ukraine’s return. In Crimea, which has been living under Russian occupation for twelve years now.
And in the memory of those who will never return.
It is a very high price.
And we must clearly understand what we are paying it for.
For the right to decide for ourselves how we live. For the right to be Ukrainians on our own land. For our people to return home from captivity. For those currently living under occupation to live in their own country again. For no other state to be able to decide for Ukraine where its borders lie, what language we speak, whom we choose, and what future we build.
This is exactly what we are fighting for.
I will not tell you that the road ahead will be easy.
I command an army that is fighting a difficult battle every day. I know our fatigue. I know our losses. I know the cost of the decisions that must be made.
But I also know the strength of the people who, after everything they have endured, continue to do their job.
A difficult struggle still lies ahead.
But we know what we are fighting for.
For an independent Ukraine.
I thank every one of you who is defending and holding it today.
Happy Independence Day!
Glory to Ukraine!”
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Major General Mykhailo Drapatiy
Photo: Prompolitinform
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