Zelenskyy gives speech, awards Ukrainian defenders on Sophia Square in Kyiv — photo report
On February 24, on Sophia Square, Zelensky awards Ukrainian defenders (Photo:Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded medals to Ukrainian defenders and gave a speech on Sophia Square in the center Kyiv as part of the “February. Year. Invincibility” event, which was broad cast online by the presidential office on Feb. 24.
The event began with a performance of the Ukrainian anthem by Ukrainian pop star and former MP Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, and then the blue and yellow Ukrainian national flag was raised.
During his speech, Zelenskyy honored Ukrainian defenders, both men and women. He said Ukraine was proud of its fighters, rescuers, volunteers “on whom Ukraine depends, if it is to exist.”
‘I’m grateful for all of those who endured that February, this year and who give Ukraine its invincibility!” Zelenskyy said.
“Glory to all those who are fighting now!... Today, in a year of decisive war for Ukraine's independence, I want to say to all of you who are fighting now for Ukraine and living for Ukraine that I’m proud of you. Let this pride live in trenches and on squares. Let this pride say: ‘Ukraine is a living thing.’ And let it won't forget how many heroes sacrificed their lives.”
Zelenskyy presented state awards, including the title of Hero of Ukraine, to Ukrainian defenders and their families.
Earlier, during a video address to the nation on Feb. 24, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine “will do everything to gain victory this year.”
Meanwhile, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that “victory will mean for Ukraine ... the creation of such conditions that won’t allow the Russians to attack our country in the future.”
In a year of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has lost almost 147,000 of its soldiers, 3,363 tanks, 299 aircraft, and thousands of other equipment units.
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