President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated servicemen and veterans of the National Guard of Ukraine on the seventh anniversary of the establishment of this military formation with law enforcement functions.
In his video greeting, the Head of State noted that the history of the National Guard is inextricably linked with the recent history of the struggle of the Ukrainian people for their own independence and territorial integrity.
"At a critical moment for the state, the newly established formation united the military, law enforcers and patriotic volunteers in its ranks. From the first days of Russian aggression, you were at the epicenter of events that determined the fate of Ukraine," he stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that thanks to the active participation of the National Guard, their resilience and courage, it was possible to stop the spread of the "virus of separatism" in part of Ukraine.
"In Kramatorsk, Mariupol, Slovyansk, Severodonetsk, Lysychansk and dozens of other settlements of Donbas, the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag was flown again. Also, our flag remained flying over Kharkiv in the most tense days of confrontation. Then we managed to defend virtually the whole of Ukraine," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the guardsmen perform tasks not only in the area of the Joint Forces Operation, but also where there is an urgent need to ensure law and justice. In particular, they help Ukrainian police to protect public safety and law and order on a daily basis.
The President also reminded that the National Guard medical facilities were the first to receive citizens evacuated from Wuhan, China, after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, aircraft delivered cargo and medical crews, special equipment disinfected cities, and personnel ensured quarantine measures throughout the country.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, more than 1,500 national guardsmen have been awarded high state awards, and five soldiers have been posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.
"I am sure that for most Ukrainians, all of you are heroes who keep the peace of citizens and society every day. And society returns the favor with the high rating of trust in the soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine, which is consistently one of the highest among the military and law enforcement units," the President stressed.
The Head of State wished the National Guard inspiration and strength in the difficult service for the benefit of the Ukrainian people, and good health to their relatives.