Dear friends! Dear colleagues!

24 August is a special date for every Ukrainian. It represents not only the culmination of the efforts of many generations who strove to win the right to live in this country. This day gives us hope and reminds us that we must all fight for Ukraine today. Some on the front lines, some in the rear. But we must work together to achieve the great goal of ensuring that our country is free and can continue to determine its destiny.

Each day lived in war gives this significant date even greater weight. We have realized that freedom is never given for free. It must be earned, often through difficult trials and losses. We bow our heads in memory of those who gave their lives so that Ukraine could remain free. We will do everything to ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.

Today, Ukraine is in the midst of historic events. However, only we determine the path that the country should take. This is not only our right, but also our great responsibility.

We face the extremely difficult task of not allowing the yoke of the ‘russkiy mir’ to be imposed on us again. We must fulfil the legacy of our immortal Kobzar! We must rise up and finally break free from the chains that have held us in moscow’s pseudo-empire for centuries.

Today, units of the Security Service of Ukraine, as part of the Security and Defence Forces, are sprinkling our freedom with ‘evil enemy blood’ around the clock. We are fighting the occupiers on land, in the air and in the sea. We are penetrating deep into enemy rear and striking where they least expect. We are exposing the aggressor’s agents and spies on our soil. We are doing everything to ensure that every August Ukrainians continue to celebrate the Independence Day and that our state remains powerful and prosperous.

It is only through our unwavering unity, mutual trust, and shared vision of the future of united and independent Ukraine that we can stop the enemy and break the backbone of its criminal army.

God is with us! Strength, faith and truth are on our side!

Happy Independence Day!

Glory to Ukraine!

Head of the Security Service of Ukraine

Lieutenant General

Vasyl Maliuk