We will do everything possible and impossible to make our air defense the strongest - the Presidential Appeal of Ukraine
During this war, eight anti -aircraft missile brigades were honored with courage and bravery. More than 1100 joint-stock soldiers received state awards, and eight of them were awarded the highest title-Hero of Ukraine. This is Colonel Sergey Yaremenko, Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Vesnin, Andriy Kruglov, Sergey Porezets, Artem Sharkov, Dmitry Shumakov, Major Yaroslav Melnyk and Senior Lieutenant Artem Slisarchuk - he was assigned to him posthumously.
Unfortunately, our state does not yet have enough quality air defense systems to protect our entire territory and knock down all hostile goals. The enemy uses this as today - by causing another terrorist strike in the city of Sumy Iranian drone, in particular on residential buildings, as well as on the building of the Security Service of Ukraine. As a result of these blows, there are wounded, there are dead . . . My condolences! We will do our best and impossible to make our air defense the strongest.
Today, General Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force, reported to me to strengthen the air defense. In order for the Ukrainian airboard to be able to close the entire territory from Russian terror, and in the future - to become the basis for the European air shield. It is absolutely necessary and absolutely possible. By the way, he spoke with Mr. Chancellor Scholtz today. Germany helped Ukraine with air defense very powerfully.
The brilliant German systems "Iris-T" showed themselves well in the protection of our sky. We have the American "Petriots" and are very effective in Germany. Ukraine is grateful for them, as well as for all other vital help! In today's conversation with Mr. Chancellor, we focused, of course, on further defensive cooperation, as well as on strategic issues in the protection of our Europe - Europe, which can be peaceful only when peace is guaranteed for it with full security.
There may be no security deficit in Europe that will provoke Russian tyranny and aggression. Russia will try to bite one or another piece of Europe only when it see one or another security uncertainty. When everything is defined and obvious, Russian tyranny does not dare to break security. Obviously, it is possible to protect Europe from any aggression only with Ukraine and only with Ukraine in NATO. That is why security certainty about our future in the Alliance should be achieved.
Then Russia will have to refocus on its own statehood-to finally do themselves, not any expansions. We are very actively preparing for the summit, and we expect from our partners exactly the determination that this historical moment requires. And necessarily - our active actions. Advanced.
Heroic 35th and 36th separate brigades of the Marines-thank you, warriors! 47 Separate Mechanized Brigade "Magura"-Thank you! The famous 55th separate artillery brigade "Zaporizhzhya Sich"-thank you, warriors! 128 Separate Territorial Defense Forces-Thank you! It is especially worth noting today the junior lieutenant Alexander Pavlov, commander of the Marine infantry platoon of the 36th Brigade of Marines.
His confident and strong actions, skillful management in battle give good results to the state. Thank you! The T-80 tank crew under the command of the junior sergeant Andrei Marchuk-thank you for the accuracy and courage! This is the 36th brigade of the Marines. And from the 35th brigade I will note today the commander of the tank, the junior sergeant Artem of the image-thank you for the true Ukrainian courage and skill in the liberation of the settlement Makarivka.
Thank you, Artem! Senior soldier Eugene Poddubny, sapper of the 47th mechanized brigade. It operates in a very hot direction now and very effectively fulfills its tasks. Thank you, Eugene! Captain Ivan Ogurtsov. Acting in the Avdeevsky direction, our firing artillery groups under its command very effectively destroy enemy positions and warehouses. Thank you, warrior! The Mariinsky direction . . .
Artillery Division under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Pavel Lukyanov does not give the occupiers a single minute of rest. Your combat results are really significant! Thank you! Thank you all who are in battle now, at combat posts and positions! Thank you all who help! And one more. The world today saw the Kremlin - unfortunately, the hands of the current authorities of Georgia - kills the citizen of Ukraine Mikhail Saakashvili.
Human life is the highest value and cannot be allowed to destroy Michael. Ukraine has repeatedly urged the power of Georgia to stop this demonstrative execution. Both we and our partners offered various rescue options of Michael. Today, I instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to call Georgia Ambassador to Ukraine, to protest him and to propose to leave Ukraine for the next 48 hours for consultations with my capital.