These two years have turned Russia's ten-year war against Ukraine into the largest in Europe since World War II, but between weapons and evacuation, we chose weapons.
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi addressed Ukrainians on the second anniversary of the large-scale invasion.
"In the near future, we will give an asymmetric response to the Russian occupier," he promised, "and there will be even more burning Russian aircraft because the leadership of the country is doing everything possible for this. For this, Ukrainians need unity above all, which is the guarantee of our inevitable victory.
"When the thousands of columns of Russian occupiers advanced from all directions into Ukraine, when thousands of missiles and bombs fell on our land — no one in the world believed that we would withstand it. No one except the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which from the first minutes entered into battle with the enemy," emphasized Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Hundreds of thousands of volunteers who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the first days of the invasion, and millions of Ukrainians who, through the efforts of volunteers, began an unprecedented support for their army, believed in Ukraine's ability to resist the aggressor.
Then there was the battle for Kyiv and the retreat of the Russian forces from the outskirts of the capital, the liberation of Snake Island, and the gradual cleansing of the Black Sea from Russian scrap metal, the Kharkiv offensive operation, and the liberation of Kherson.
There was also an attempt at a Ukrainian counteroffensive, which, unfortunately, due to objective circumstances, did not produce the desired result. Today, Ukrainians continue to fight the Russian forces along the entire front line.
"For our freedom, so that every Ukrainian city or village does not become another Bucha, Bakhmut, or Avdiivka — we pay the highest price. The best sons and daughters of the Ukrainian people are dying! We bow our heads to those who gave the most precious — their lives for Ukraine," said the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "We remember! We will avenge!
He thanked all Ukrainian defenders, who even now repel attacks and destroy the Russian forces.
To medics, rescuers, and volunteers — to all those who help the Armed Forces of Ukraine approach Victory.
The Chief of the General Staff also thanked partners for their assistance because every shell, every tank, every armored vehicle is, first of all, the preservation of 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 the Ukrainian soldier," emphasized Oleksandr Syrskyi.
He stressed that today, more than ever, Ukrainians need unity.
"I am convinced that victory is in unity. And it will definitely come. Because light always conquers darkness!" emphasized the Chief of the General Staff.
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!
