"We remember. The revenge will come": Syrskyi celebrates the feat of the defenders and honors the memory of the victims

On February 24, 2024, the world marks the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which turned the Russian-Ukrainian war in Donbas into the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Back then, two years ago, no one but the Ukrainians themselves believed that Ukraine would be able to withstand and push back the invaders, making hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men and women take up the fight.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi recalled what happened during the two years of resistance. He honored the memory of those who fell in battle, thanked those who are holding the front today and promised the occupiers unpleasant surprises that would end in Ukraine's inevitable victory.

Syrskyi noted that exactly two years ago, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the hybrid war that had been going on since 2014 turned into the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. Back then, in the tumultuous days of late February 2022, virtually no one in the world gave Ukraine a chance to withstand a much more powerful enemy the army of whic was considered the second largest in the world.

"When thousands of columns of Russian invaders moved from all directions into Ukraine, when thousands of missiles and bombs fell on our land, no one in the world believed that we would survive. No one except the Ukrainian Defense Forces who took up the fight from the first minutes. No one except for hundreds of thousands of volunteers who stood in line at military registration and enlistment offices in the first hours of full-scale aggression. Except for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who joined the Territorial Defense Forces from the very first days. Except for millions of Ukrainians who, through volunteers, showed unprecedented support for their army. No one except Ukraine believed, accepted the battle and survived," the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

Then, he noted, Ukrainians chose the weapon between arms and flight. And they shocked the world by driving the invaders out of some of the occupied territories.

"Then there was the battle for Kyiv and the flight of the invaders from the suburbs of the capital under the blows of our defenders. Then the liberation of the Snake Island and the gradual clearing of the Black Sea from Russian scrap metal. Then came the Kharkiv offensive and the liberation of Kherson. There was also an attempted Ukrainian counteroffensive, which, unfortunately, due to objective circumstances, did not bring the desired result," Syrskyi recalled.

The Armed Forces chief noted that the battle is ongoing. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting the invaders along the entire front line. And they are paying an extremely high price for the future victory.

"We are paying the highest price for our freedom, for ensuring that every Ukrainian town or village does not become another Bucha, Bakhmut or Avdiivka. The best sons and daughters of the Ukrainian people are dying! We bow our heads to those who gave the most precious thing: their lives for Ukraine. We remember. The revenge will come," Syrskyi assured.

He thanked all the defenders from the ranks of the Defense Forces who continue to deter the invaders and inflict losses on the enemy, as well as those who help them both in the Ukrainian rear and abroad.

"Today, my words of gratitude go to all Ukrainian defenders who are repelling Russian attacks and destroying the enemy even at this moment. I bow low to the medics, rescuers, volunteers: to all those who help the Ukrainian Defense Forces bring our Victory closer! On this day, I would also like to thank our partners for their assistance. Every shell, every tank, every armored vehicle is primarily about saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. We are fighting for every meter of our land, but the most valuable thing we have is the life of a Ukrainian soldier," the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief noted.

Syrskyi emphasized that Ukraine has proved that it is capable of repelling the aggressor on the ground through fierce battles. The next step is a powerful battle in the sky.

"I believe that in the near future we will give a similar response to the Russian occupier in the air. There will be even more burning Russian planes. The leadership of the state is doing everything possible for this," the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces assured.

He expressed confidence in Ukraine's future victory in the liberation war. The main thing is to keep faith in it and remain united.

"Today, we need unity more than ever. I am convinced that our victory is in unity. And it will definitely come because light always conquers darkness!" Syrskyi summarized.

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