67 young officers, who graduated early from the National Academy of Security Service of Ukraine, will soon join the defenсe of our country. Most of them will serve at Counterintelligence, Counterterrorism, Cybersecurity departments of the SSU as well as the SSU Special Operations Center ‘A’.

Graduates received their diplomas today.

‘I know that you wanted to graduate from the Academy as soon as possible - to help our country in this difficult time. We’ve met these wishes. After all, we see that you have enough skills and abilities which Ukraine needs now. Let your professional path be long and successful - for the benefit of our state and citizens,’ the SSU Head Ivan Bakanov said to the graduates.

He noted that SSU officers have been defending our country from the first day of russia’s full-scale invasion.

‘Today, the SSU has a lot of tasks - from detention of sabotage groups and collaborators to eliminating the enemy on the battlefield. Our cyber specialists counter hacker attacks, investigators collect evidence of the occupiers’ atrocities, special forces fight on the front line. Everyone does their job,’ Ivan Bakanov added.

He wished the graduates to become part of the SSU’s powerful team as soon as possible and make their contribution to victory.

‘Your course is named after the legendary counterintelligence officer - Colonel Oleksandr Kharaberyush, who was killed in 2017 in the center of Mariupol. Today, Mariupol, as well as other cities and villages, has become a symbol of indomitable steel will of Ukrainian people. The price for strength of our spirit is high. But we will liberate all the territories temporarily occupied by russia - so that every Ukrainian can return home,’ Ivan Bakanov said.

During the graduation ceremony, officers observed a minute of silence in memory of fallen servicemen and laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of the SSU Heroes.