On October 1, Ukraine will celebrate the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, a holiday that has gained particular relevance during the full-scale Russian invasion.
This holiday is a symbol of gratitude to all those who risk their lives for the sake of security and peace in the country. On this day, we honor not only the military, but also all those who are fighting for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On the occasion of the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, we are telling you about those who defend the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine is a military formation that, in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, is responsible for the defense of Ukraine, protection of its sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine ensure deterrence and repulsion of armed aggression against Ukraine, protection of the state's airspace and underwater space within the territorial sea of Ukraine in cases determined by law, and participate in activities aimed at combating terrorism.
The history of the Armed Forces of Ukraine begins after the declaration of Ukraine's independence. On December 6, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law "On the Armed Forces of Ukraine". Since then, the Ukrainian army has gone through various stages of development.
The year of 2014 was a test of courage, endurance, loyalty to the oath of allegiance and devotion to the people of Ukraine for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and went down in history as the year of the Ukrainian army's revival. Since then, a new identity of the Armed Forces has been actively formed: the ideology, the system of awards, the gender component of the army, etc. New honorary names for military units are emerging that reflect national military traditions.
In October 2018, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law "On Amendments to the Statutes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine", which establishes the greeting "Glory to Ukraine!" - "Glory to the Heroes" in the Armed Forces and the National Police.
Today, the Armed Forces of Ukraine - modern, dynamic, able to transform quickly in a brutal war, ready for any threatening scenarios of the Kremlin occupiers - are courageously defending the territorial integrity of Ukraine in various parts of the frontline.