President Zelenskyy congratulates defenders of Ukraine on their holiday

He made the statement in a video address recorded near the Golden Gate in Kyiv, where the gate church of the Most Holy Theotokos, who is considered the patron saint of Ukrainian soldiers, is located.

"In a way, I, our people, and our country are now at the crossroads of history. On the way to tipping points. Where, with the memory of the past, we create the present and write a new page of our destiny. This is especially clear and noticeable on this day - the Day of Defenders of Ukraine," the president said.

He thanked everyone "who stood, stands and will stand strong." In particular, border guards, infantry, tank crewmen, pilots, sailors, artillerymen, anti-aircraft gunners, paratroopers, special forces, intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Guard, police, and territorial defense.

"Along the entire frontline, without a break, advancing during the ongoing counteroffensive. When Ukrainians from different regions, cities and villages are now together. In the same dugout, trench, in the same tank, aircraft, IFV. Side by side in different sectors, they are fighting for villages and towns they may have never been to before, but they are fighting as hard as they can as if those were their homes," Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President called on Ukrainians on this day to honor "the bravery and heroism of the defenders of Ukraine, military traditions and the victories of the Ukrainian people." At 09:00 am, the entire country paid their respects to the fallen heroes.

"Tough times have made us strong. And the strong bring victorious times closer. Step by step. Today, tomorrow, every day, every minute. No one should and no one will manage to "switch off" our resilience, endurance, grit and courage on either scheduled or emergency basis. They have no "expiration date", "end date", or final point after which we would stop resisting and fighting, except for one - our victory," Zelenskyy said.