President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the celebrations marking the 29th anniversary of Ukraine's defense intelligence service and congratulated intelligence officers on their professional holiday.
The head of state said that both in peacetime and especially during the years of Russian aggression, it is defense intelligence officers who play a key role in protecting national interests and state security. They remain unnoticed by the enemy, but the Ukrainian state always sees them, draws attention to them and appreciates them.
"With you we always see, with you we always hear. We know and act. With you, we are always able to prevent threats and overcome any challenges. With you we are always a few steps ahead. And therefore it is only victory that we will see ahead," the President said.
According to Zelenskyy, many successful operations of our defense intelligence remain unknown to the general public, but this year the whole world learned about the high level of training, skill and courage of our intelligence officers after the brilliant rescue of Ukrainians and citizens of other states from Kabul. Thanks to the thoughtful and decisive actions of the Ukrainian intelligence, as well as the skills of the transport aviation crews of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, nearly 700 people were evacuated.
"It was a unique, model and brilliant work. Today, the Ukrainian defense intelligence receives a standing ovation of the whole world," the head of state said.
The President said that in this situation, Ukrainian intelligence officers showed who has the biggest hearts on our planet.
"In an effort to find and evacuate people who actually fell into a trap, tactical teams of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine went outside the controlled territory of the airport and found, took and rescued people in the high-risk environments. They did what no other evacuation mission of any other country dared to do," he said.
Zelenskyy said that the joint actions of the authorities, the efforts and active position of the Intelligence Committee every day enhance the capabilities of all Ukrainian intelligence officers. According to the head of state, the adoption of the Law "On Intelligence" is a significant step for improving the defense intelligence system. Ukraine's Military Security Strategy is also of particular importance.
"This is the first strategic document of defense planning in the history of Ukraine's independence," the President said.
Zelenskyy also said that the adopted National Intelligence Program for 2021-2025 aims at developing and boosting the intelligence capabilities of our state.
"We need to see even better, hear more. We are to know everything first and to the last letter. We must work 24/7. We are to give it not 100%, but 200% and to be not one, but ten steps ahead," the head of state said.
The President added that the Ukrainian defense intelligence seeks to be the intelligence of the future – highly professional, high-tech and high-precision.
"To achieve this goal, advanced methods of collecting, processing, analyzing and transmitting information, the latest approaches in the selection and training of personnel, modern types of next generation weapons and equipment have been introduced," the head of state said.
According to Zelenskyy, the operational and intelligence capabilities, as well as the potential of electronic, air and space reconnaissance, have been also enhanced.
"The state is doing and will do everything so that our defense intelligence is strengthened every day," the President said.
"Your information is extremely important. The cost of your mistake is extra-high. That is why your job is the hardest. But I am sure and I know that your strength is super-powerful. And wisdom is super-deep. This means that your destiny is to own the stars," Zelenskyy said, once again congratulating intelligence officers on their professional holiday.
Those present honored the memory of the fallen defense intelligence officers with a minute of silence.
The intelligence officers were presented with state awards.
Also, the head of state examined samples of weapons and intelligence equipment that are in service in the Defense Intelligence divisions of the Ministry of Defense.