Dear generals and admirals, officers, warrant officers and midshipmen, sergeants and petty officers, cadets, soldiers and sailors! Dear veterans and employers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine!

Annually, in our state, December 6 is the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine which has a particular meaning under the conditions of the national struggle for free future of Ukraine. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are the advanced guard in this struggle. They gathered all the best features of the warriors of all generations of the defenders of the Ukrainian land: patriotism, dignity, courage and self-sacrifice.

The unconquered strength of the Ukrainian warrior stopped the Russian aggressor in the East of Ukraine. It created a foundation for restoring the territorial integrity of our country. It considerably facilitated the work of Ukrainian diplomats on the international arena and gave an opportunity to the government of the state to undertake all the necessary measures to enhance the combat strength of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian people have decently honored its defenders. For self-sacrifice and courage, showed during the providing of the anti-terrorist operation, 22 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were awarded with the title of the Hero of Ukraine, 9 of which posthumously, 7758 received state awards.

Eternal memory and glory to all who gave their lives for the better future of our Motherland.

Today, the hardened in fierce battles for the liberation of Donbas the Armed Forces of Ukraine have gained invaluable combat experience and, according to the estimates of international military experts, are considered to be one of the strongest in the world.

In a short period of time, in historic dimension, drastic positive changes happened in the system of personnel training and logistics support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Planned supply of new modernized samples of armament and military equipment, first of all in the area of providing of the anti-terrorist operation, has been arranged. That's why we have the entirely other warrior according to the level of his training quality. Today, he is a trained, equipped serviceman with a firm faith in the victory.

On the occasion of the professional holiday, I sincerely thank the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military service veterans, representatives of the volunteer organizations for conscientious service to the Motherland and high public stance.

I am sure that in the future, every serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will put maximum efforts to improve combat skillfulness, strengthen the military discipline and will be ready to carry out tasks according to their duties.

On this festive day, I wish you and your families sound health, welfare, optimism and new considerable achievements for the sake of the defensive capacity of the Ukrainian state.