President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part via video conference in the events on the occasion of the graduation of officers of higher military educational institutions.
This year, more than a thousand people graduated.
The Head of State separately congratulated the graduates of each university: Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National University of the Air Force, Military Institute of Tank Troops of the National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kruty Heroes Military Institute of Telecommunications and Informatization, Ukrainian Military Medical Academy and the Department of Military Training of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine.
Addressing the graduates, the President emphasized that they had made an important choice of their own destiny - to protect Ukraine and serve the state.
“The conscious choice of millions that makes everyone a single monolithic army, regardless of gender, age or status. Generals, officers, sergeants, soldiers, cadets. Many of you have participated in combat operations in the East even before you studied for your specialties and have relevant combat experience. From the very first hours of the full-scale war, you and your lecturers took up arms, reinforced the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and bravely stood up to defend Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
The Head of State emphasized that the last years of studying had become the most difficult and fateful for today's graduates. However, despite all the challenges associated with Russia's full-scale invasion, a worthy replenishment of officers is now joining the officer corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The President also heard reports from the heads of these higher military educational institutions.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the lecturers and staff of the universities for the training of officers, the experience and knowledge that their students have gained and are gaining.
“Yesterday they were cadets, soon they will become officers, tomorrow some of them will join the ranks of our country's defense forces, while others will continue their studies to join the ranks of the Ukrainian army after obtaining a master's degree,” the Head of State said.
The President emphasized that all graduates and lecturers of military universities are united not only by a common choice and high responsibility, but also by courage, determination, patriotism, loyalty to Ukraine, readiness to defend and desire to liberate it.
“This means - and there is no doubt about it - that there is something that will unite everyone in the future. This is victory. And may you be united by Ukraine, its present, and its memory on your way to it,” the President stressed.
The attendees observed a moment of silence in memory of all those who gave their lives in the battles for Ukraine.
Lieutenant Stanislav Sivak, a graduate of the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National University of the Air Force, a participant of the anti-terrorist operation and defense of Kharkiv, thanked the Head of State for his congratulations on behalf of the graduates of higher military educational institutions.
"We all clearly understand what fateful and responsible tasks the Armed Forces of Ukraine are facing today, what a great and historic mission each soldier, each of us, has in this war. We assure the entire Ukrainian people and you as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief that we will be worthy of the military glory of Ukrainian warriors and will stand firm in defense of our native land. We will take revenge on the Russian occupiers for the blood and tears of our countrymen! We will liberate the Ukrainian land from the enemy! We will win!" said Stanislav Sivak.