On the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of the Security Service of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the SSU employees on their professional holiday, presented state awards, decorations and conferred military ranks.
The Head of State was shown modern samples of military and special equipment, including Sea Baby drones used by the Security Service. The President thanked the SSU employees for their professional work.
"Over the years of war, the SSU has become a truly combat-ready, and most importantly, efficient special service, which is exactly what our state needs to protect itself from the enemy and to take active steps to reduce the potential of Russian aggression. You find effective methods of countering the enemy. Not all of your actions against the occupier can be discussed openly and publicly now, but all of your actions serve Ukraine, strengthen it and make us proud of Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He noted the long range and precision of both naval and aerial Ukrainian drones.
The Head of State expressed gratitude to the SSU for protecting the country from collaborators, spotters and other traitors, as well as for facilitating the investigation of Russia's war crimes.
"When you are effective in these investigations, justice for Ukraine and Ukrainians becomes closer," the President noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine now expects even greater efficiency from the Security Service.
"Russian warships no longer have a safe place in the western part of the Black Sea and near our Crimea, but they must lose the opportunity to operate in the eastern part of the Black Sea as well. Every invader already understands perfectly that they cannot feel safe anywhere on the Ukrainian land, but they must lose even more logistics infrastructure, headquarters, depots – more material basis of this war," the Head of State emphasized.
He emphasized that the Special Forces of the Centre of Special Operations “A” and the SSU counterintelligence effectively destroy Russian equipment and occupiers, adjust Ukrainian artillery strikes, cover the defenders with sniper fire and provide the Defense Forces with vitally necessary intelligence data.
"May your successes help Ukraine save even more lives and expedite our victory," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted the SSU's actions in the area of cyber defense and called for increasing Ukraine's strike potential in cyberspace.
The attendees observed a minute of silence in memory of the SSU warriors who gave their lives for the sake of Ukraine.
He also presented state awards to SSU employees. In particular, the Head of State conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine and handed over the Order of the Golden Star to one of them.
Another 10 SSU officers received the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class, the Orders of Merit, III class, the Orders "For Courage", I and III classes, and the medal "For Military Service to Ukraine".
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the battle flag of the SSU CI Department and the honorary award "For Courage and Valor" to the SSU Military Counterintelligence Department.