"Ukraine stands thanks to its warriors": Zelenskyi greets defenders on national holiday

01.10.2026, 12:51 rubryka.com

The president noted that today marks the 1,681st day of the full-scale war. He stressed that despite relentless attacks and suffering, Ukraine continues to resist, neutralize occupying forces, and achieve its strategic objectives.

"Despite the attacks, the strikes, the pain, Ukraine is holding on, destroying the occupier, and achieving what Ukraine needs – all of this is thanks to our defenders holding on. I thank you – everyone who is defending our life, defending our values, Ukraine's right to exist, and the future of our entire beautiful state. I thank everyone who wears a patch on their shoulder, and on whose shoulders rests our independence," the president stated.

Zelenskyi extended specific gratitude to those wearing military insignia and defending Ukraine's independence, honoring the infantry, airborne troops, intelligence personnel, air defense forces, combat aviation, naval forces, artillery, signal corps, engineers, as well as service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Special Operations Forces, the National Guard, Ukraine's Security Service, the police, and border guards.

Zelenskyi individually recognized key combat commanders, including:

The president also thanked hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers standing as a shield to ensure Ukraine remains their home, while honoring the memory of fallen heroes.

Vitalii Skakun, Da Vinci, Nazarii Hryntsevych – Grenka, Juice, Andrii Verkhohliad, Iryna Tsybukh, Petrychenko, Oleksandr Matsievskyi – and many other names of this war. And every Ukrainian family, every one of us, has names just like these – names you truly want to remember and mourn, names you are proud of and grateful to. All of this is about our heroes who gave their lives so that Ukraine could live. We remember every one of them," the president noted.

He highlighted that every Ukrainian family holds names remembered with grief, pride, and eternal gratitude.

Addressing active service members, Zelenskyi congratulated all military personnel defending the nation, expressing deep respect and appreciation.

"We congratulate you—every man and woman defending Ukraine. With gratitude and respect to all our defenders, we state the most important thing today: Glory to you! Glory to Ukraine!" the head of state concluded.

Background

On October 1, Ukraine celebrates Defenders Day alongside Cossack Day and the Christian feast of the Protection of the Holy Virgin (Pokrova), as well as Veterans Day.

For twelve years, the feast of Pokrova has officially coincided with Defenders Day. Following Ukraine's church calendar reform, the religious holiday moved to October 1 (formerly October 14), carrying deep significance for the Ukrainian military.

Historically, Ukraine observed the Soviet-era "Defender of the Fatherland Day" on February 23.

However, following the 2014 annexation of Crimea and Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, the feast of Pokrova assumed renewed national importance as Ukraine pursued European integration, de-communization, and the establishment of a strong sovereign military.

In October 2014, a presidential decree officially established Ukraine's Defenders of Day on October 14.

By 2015, the date became an official state holiday. In August 2021, at the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Parliament renamed the holiday "Day of Male and Female Defenders of Ukraine" to ensure gender inclusivity and honor female service members.