The Head of State said that both in peacetime and especially during the years of Russian aggression, it is defence intelligence officers, who play a key role in protecting national interests and state security. They remain unnoticed by the enemy, but the Ukrainian state always sees them, draws attention to them and appreciates them.

“With you we always see, with you we always hear. We know and act. With you, we are always able to prevent threats and overcome any challenges. With you we are always a few steps ahead. And therefore it is only victory that we will see ahead,” the President of Ukraine said.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyi, many successful operations of our defence intelligence remain unknown to the general public, but this year the whole world learned about the high level of training, skill and courage of our intelligence officers after the brilliant rescue of Ukrainians and citizens of other states from Kabul. Thanks to the thoughtful and decisive actions of the Ukrainian intelligence, as well as the skills of the transport aviation crews of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, nearly 700 people were evacuated.

“It was a unique, model and brilliant work. Today, the Ukrainian defence intelligence receives a standing ovation of the whole world,” the Head of State said.

The President of Ukraine said that in this situation, Ukrainian intelligence officers showed who has the biggest hearts on our planet.

“In an effort to find and evacuate people, who actually fell into a trap, Special Forces teams of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine went outside the controlled territory of the airport and found, took and rescued people in the high-risk environments. They did what no other evacuation mission of any other country dared to do,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted that the joint actions of the authorities, the efforts and active position of the Intelligence Committee every day enhance the capabilities of all Ukrainian intelligence officers. According to the Head of State, the adoption of the Law “On Intelligence” is a significant step for improving the defence intelligence system. Military Security Strategy of Ukraine is also of particular importance.

“This is the first strategic document of defence planning in the history of Ukraine’s independence,” the President of Ukraine said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi also said that the adopted National Intelligence Programme for 2021-2025 aims at developing and boosting the intelligence capabilities of our state.

“We need to see even better, hear more. We are to know everything first and to the last letter. We must work 24/7. We are to give it not 100%, but 200% and to be not one, but ten steps ahead,” the Head of State said.

The President of Ukraine added that the Ukrainian defence intelligence seeks to be the intelligence of the future – highly professional, high-tech and high-precision.

“To achieve this goal, advanced methods of collecting, processing, analyzing and transmitting information, the latest approaches in the selection and training of personnel, modern types of next generation weapons and equipment have been introduced,” the Head of State said.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the operational and human intelligence capabilities, as well as the potential of electronic, air and space intelligence have been also enhanced.

“The state is doing and will do everything so that our defence intelligence is strengthened every day,” the President of Ukraine said.

“Your information is extremely important. The cost of your mistake is extra-high. That is why your job is the hardest. But I am sure and I know that your strength is upper-powerful. And wisdom is super-deep. This means that your destiny is to dominate the stars,” Volodymyr Zelenskyi said, once again congratulating intelligence officers on their professional holiday.

Those present honoured the memory of the fallen defence intelligence officers with a minute of silence.

The President of Ukraine presented state awards to intelligence officers.

Also, the Head of State examined samples of weapons and intelligence equipment that are in service in the subunits of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.