Today, the National Academy of the Security Service of Ukraine graduated cadets, who received the rank of lieutenant.

The SSU Head Vasyl Maliuk congratulated them on completing their training.

‘From now on, you become a full-fledged part of the SSU team. Side by side, we will continue to defend Ukraine from the enemy, improve and modernize our Service to make it even more effective. After all, the SSU now is, first and foremost, a security service of a state at war. Today we are not just a part of the Defence Forces, but a lead force in conducting special operations and sabotage behind enemy lines,’ Vasyl Maliuk addressed the graduates.

The SSU has hit the Crimean bridge twice, 11 russian warships in the Black Sea and destroyed more than 1,000 russian tanks on the battlefield.

‘We are making a great contribution to the future Victory,’ the SSU Chief emphasized.

Vasyl Maliuk reminded that counterintelligence is the core of the SSU’s activities. In 2023-2024 alone, the Service dismantled 66 agent networks operating inside the country. He noted that an important area for today’s graduates will be to identify traitors and counter threats to state security.

The SSU Head also thanked the Academy’s teachers for training the young generation of patriots and for adapting the curriculum to wartime needs. He also promised the graduates that they would be accompanied in the early stages of their service by senior colleagues, mentors with extensive operational experience.

During the ceremony, the audience observed a minute of silence in memory of the fallen Heroes. Among them is the SSU special forces officer, Colonel Ruslan Mulyar, who was killed during a combat mission in Luhansk region in 2018. This course bore his name throughout the training.

‘We have difficult tasks ahead to liberate our land from the occupiers. We will do it together. Be brave, dedicated and worthy of an officer’s rank! God helps those who strive for Victory and make every effort to achieve it,’ said Vasyl Maliuk.