"Ukrainian warrior, I know that it is very difficult for you, but you get us closer to victory": Zelenskyy congratulates defenders of Ukraine with the Day of defender of Ukraine 

The corresponding video appeared online.

"Russians tried to capture and enslave Ukrainian land. They tried to subjugate and destroy Ukrainian people. Both a thousand years ago and in the 20th century. But Ukrainians come here. Think about our history here. Ukrainian language is heard here. There is a chapel built according to Shevchenko's sketch.

There were different periods, different threats. But Ukraine persevered. One reason is our defenders. These are our people who are fighting for their right to life. In Russia.  On Sich. During the national liberation struggle. Against the Nazi occupation. And against Russians" - Zelenskyi emphasized.

The president emphasized that Ukrainian soldiers will defeat Russians.

"This will be the victory of all our people. This will be the victory of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Our Ground Forces, infantry, tankmen, missile forces and artillery. This will be the victory of our Air Force, our anti-aircraft guns, our drone operators. This will be the victory of our Naval Forces, our marines. Our Airborne Assault Troops. Our intelligence. Special Operations Forces. Security Service of Ukraine. This will be a victory for the border guards, the National Guard, the National Police, ground defense, signalmen. This will be a victory for each and every one" - Ukrainian president emphasized.

Zelenskyy emphasized that we will not give up our territories - Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Dnipro and Mykolaiv, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk, Zhytomyr region, Sumy region, Chernihiv region, Kharkiv region and Crimea.

"A nation that defeats terror. Millions of people who, each in their place, are approaching the decisive day - the day of victory. The day of victory in the war for our freedom. In the war for independence for all our people in all corners of Ukraine.

The world is with us. More than ever in our history. In particular, this makes us stronger than ever. But, as at any time in our history, the future depends on specific people. From those who are currently in the trenches and on combat posts. Sons, brothers and fathers. Daughters, sisters and mothers," Zelenskyy said.

The President expressed his gratitude to all Ukrainians who are bringing our victory in the fight against Russian occupying forces closer.

"Millions of people are behind you, Ukrainian Warrior, who know exactly what they live for. With you, Warrior, in the trenches is our entire state, everything that we have and is so dear to us. With you is the future of children. The gold of victories of our sportsmen. Our poetry, art, science. With you - Sofia and the Potocki Palace. Our Khortytsia and our Lavra. Next to you - our Heavenly Hundred. And our respect, our faith and our love. Because our state is the mother of all defenders.

Thank you to everyone who fought for Ukraine in the past. And to everyone who is fighting for Ukraine now. To all who won then.  And to everyone who will definitely win now. We will win in such a way that it crowns the struggle of many generations of our people with success. People who always wanted one thing the most - freedom. For themselves and for their children. For our culture.

I congratulate the Defenders of Ukraine Day!  Happy Intercession of the Mother of God! Happy Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks! Glory to all our heroes! Glory to all who fight, work and help! Glory to Ukraine!" - the president added.