01 October 2025

Defenders of Ukraine Day

In eleven years of war, the word “defender” has grown far beyond a profession. It has become a symbol of our nation’s spirit. Teachers, doctors, journalists, engineers, florists, photographers — people from every walk of life have taken their place in Ukraine’s defense. What unites them is not uniform or rank, but a choice: to place freedom above personal dreams and the comforts of ordinary life.

This war has taught us to cherish what once felt routine: running water, the ability to plan for tomorrow, sleep that lasts more than a few hours. Every day, Ukraine’s defenders set these simple things aside so that we may have a future.

October 1 is Defenders of Ukraine Day — a day of the living and the fallen. A day for those who first stood against the enemy in Crimea in 2014, and later in Donbas. A day to honor the memory of those who gave their lives for independence, and to stand with those who continue to hold the line.

Our office is committed to preserving the memory of soldiers from temporarily occupied territories who gave their lives for Ukraine, and to building traditions of honoring the fallen. We remember each one who sacrificed for independence, and we recognize the immeasurable loss borne by their families. We bow our heads before those who never returned from battle. Their sacrifice is not only a duty fulfilled, but a gift for the future of their loved ones and the nation as a whole.

Today, Ukrainian warriors face an army that once called itself “the world’s second.” Every day they prove that Ukraine’s military is professional, strong, and capable of reclaiming what is ours. We believe that all occupied territories — including Crimea and Donbas — will return home. For it was Crimea where this war began, and Crimea’s return will mark its end.

This day is not about reports, but about gratitude and responsibility. Defending Ukraine is not the duty of the military alone — it is the duty of the entire society. Our army needs constant support. That is why our team, together with partners, continues to contribute to fundraising and aid. In 2025, we allocated over 2 million hryvnias to support the front — just part of the effort we must continue every single day.

Happy Defenders of Ukraine Day.

Glory to Ukrainian Heroes!