Volodymyr Zelensky: The National Guard has become one of the key elements of the general system of defense of our state, which does not allow the enemy to defeat Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky took part in the celebrations on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine and the release of the officers of the NGU.
On Friday, 334 officers were discharged, including 263 graduates of the National Academy of NGU and 71 graduates of the Kyiv Institute of NGU. 11 graduates graduated from universities with a gold medal, 22 have the status of combatants.
The President emphasized that the victory of Ukraine will be the sum of the resilience, courage and efficiency of all those who fight for our country.
“Everywhere to defend the honor of Ukraine, our defense and security forces, the National Guard of Ukraine is your way, the way of Ukrainian officers. I believe that you will be able to pass this path with dignity,” Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Head of State stressed that the National Guard of Ukraine has become one of the key elements of the general system of defense of our state, which does not allow the enemy to defeat Ukraine. During the years of the war in the Donbas, and from the first minutes of Russia's full-scale invasion, the National Guards have shown real Ukrainian strength and are doing everything possible to make Ukraine stand.
The participants observed with a minute of silence the memory of the soldiers of the National Guard and all the defenders who gave their lives in the battles for the independence of Ukraine.
“We are now at the decisive stage of the struggle for our independence, sovereignty, the struggle for Ukraine, which has been going on for centuries, which has become the meaning of life of different generations of our people. I have no doubt that we will be able to defend Ukraine and win long-term security, freedom and peace for the Ukrainian people. We must do everything to accelerate this result, to accelerate our victory. I believe that your actions will bring our common Ukrainian goal closer. And let your character show its steadfastness in the fight against the occupier,” the President said.
From the first days of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, the personnel of these educational institutions took an active part in repulsing the enemy.
Thus, the personnel of the National Academy of NGU after the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine began to carry the military service for the protection and defense of Kharkov. The National Guards performed combat tasks at checkpoints at the entrances to the city on the roads Kharkiv-Chuguyiv, Kharkiv-Vysokyy, Kharkiv-Pisochin, Kharkiv-Sumy, guarded and defended critical infrastructure facilities and local self-government bodies. During 2022, during the defense of Kharkov, two NANGU servicemen were killed.
Currently, the consolidated unit of the academy is part of the defense forces of the hero city of Kharkov and continues to perform tasks for the protection of strategic objects.
During the first weeks of the full-scale war, the personnel of the Kyiv Institute of NGU provided the protection and defense of the administrative buildings of Kyiv.
During the celebrations, the Head of State presented the Order of the Golden Star to Major Vadym Yashchenko, who was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Vadim Yashchenko performed combat tasks to destroy the enemy in Kharkiv region, consolidate positions to ensure the advancement of our units, clearing liberated settlements. In June 2022, the major provided first aid to the wounded guard, but during the evacuation of the victim himself suffered a mine-blast injury, multiple shrapnel wounds and traumatic amputation of the toe. However, risking his own life, Vadim saved his brothers.
Hero of Ukraine Major Dmitry Bashkintsev also received the Order from the hands of the President. The Major, together with the group, performed a number of important combat missions in Luhansk and Donetsk region. During one of the battles, Dmitry Bashkintsev evacuated the wounded from the crossfire of the enemy. Colonel Alexander Pivnenko, who was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, received the Golden Star.
Oleksandr Pivnenko participates in the defense of Bakhmut Donetsk region. His National Guard unit repeatedly destroyed enemy equipment and live force, assisted with the evacuation of civilians.
In addition, Vladimir Zelensky awarded high state awards to nine more National Guardsmen. Teachers and cadets received from the hands of the President the medals “For Military Service to Ukraine”, “For Impeccable Service” of the III degree, “Defender of the Fatherland”.
National Guard of Ukraine
