President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a ceremony of honoring the memory of the defenders of Ukraine perished during the defense and liberation of Moshchun village in Kyiv region from Russian invaders.
The Head of State paid tribute to the fallen defenders of Ukraine at the memorial sign "To the Angels of Victory" in Moshchun.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the Ukrainian people had proved their right to be called an indomitable people of an indomitable country with their valor in various battles over the centuries.
According to the President, the Battle of Moshchun was one of the turning points in the history of modern Ukraine.
"I am here with all of you today, at the scene of events of great magnitude and significance that took place a year ago. This is the Battle of Moshchun, a small village that became a place of great courage, a great feat of our great people. Your great relatives and friends. A small village near Kyiv that became its great shield," the Head of State stated.
According to the President, for more than two weeks in a row, Ukrainian warriors have been holding back the enemy invasion and destroying elite units of the Russian airborne troops and marines in continuous and heavy fighting.
"The occupiers tried three times to organize the crossing of the main forces here and break through to Kyiv. Our warriors prevented them from doing so three times. Finally, they pushed the enemy back and forced them to retreat. Having retained Moshchun, we defended the capital. We did not fall. Kyiv withstood, and the whole of Ukraine withstood," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
According to the President, the defeat of the advancing Russian group in Moshchun was one of the turning points in Ukraine's struggle for freedom and the beginning of the end of the enemy. And March 21, 2022, is an important day that gave us faith and strength, the day when we began to liberate our lands and began to drive the invaders out of Ukraine.
The Head of State noted that a year ago, our country did not have modern anti-missile systems and tanks, but it had the most important weapon - the unity of millions of Ukrainians and their readiness to defend their home and state.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that after the victorious battle for Moshchun, a number of other Ukrainian settlements were liberated: Makariv, Irpin, Hostomel, Borodyanka, Vorzel, Bucha, Horodnia, Yahidne, Trostianets, Okhtyrka. On April 2, Kyiv and Chernihiv regions were completely liberated from the occupiers, and on April 4, Zhytomyr and Sumy regions were liberated.
"All this inspired us to continue struggle and return our flag everywhere: in Kupyansk, Balakliya, Izyum, Kherson. And after the north, the successful liberation of our native land in the south. And then - in the east. Then - in Crimea. Until the complete de-occupation of our sovereign territory. Until our complete victory," he emphasized.
The Head of State expressed gratitude to the defenders and everyone who helped liberate Ukrainian lands.
The participants honored with a moment of silence the memory of those who made the liberation of Kyiv region and other Ukrainian territories possible at the cost of their own lives.
"We all continue to fight side by side. For a common goal. And we will definitely liberate our country, liberate our Ukraine to the last city, to the last village, to the last house, to the last meter of our land and the expulsion of the last enemy soldier from it, which will be the first day of peace and our victory. I thank everyone who is making it possible, I thank each and every one who is bringing it closer. I am grateful to all those who are here now, and to all those who are at the front, who are alive and who will forever be in our memory," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President got acquainted with the project of the memorial complex at the site of the battles in the village of Moshchun. This complex should become a part of the memorial route "Battle for Kyiv".
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also presented state awards.
