Zelensky honors Ukraine defense industry workers

On the occasion of Ukrainian Weaponsmith Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented state awards to employees of Ukraine’s defense industry.

He announced this on Facebook, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“Today, I awarded state honors to employees of Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex, the manufacturers of our weapons and our defense—the most important thing that guarantees Ukraine’s independence. I thank each of the hundreds of thousands of employees of Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex. I am grateful to everyone who works in this way, who makes Ukraine strong and independent. Thank you all. Happy Ukrainian Weaponsmith Day,” he said.

Zelensky noted that this is not the first time Russia has sought to destroy Ukrainian statehood and freedom.

“But now Ukrainians are in a stronger position than ever before—than in 2014, than in the 20th century, and even earlier. This is undoubtedly a historic achievement for our state: Ukraine has been able to withstand a full-scale war and defend itself with dignity, defend itself with modern means, and with the ability to carry the war into enemy territory, into Russia,” the President stated.

He stated that Ukrainian diplomatic strikes are no longer a sensation, “though each time it is very fitting and very welcome news.”

The Ukrainian president noted that Ukrainian drones have fundamentally changed the way war is waged today.

“Once upon a time, everything was decided by the amount of artillery. Now the battlefield is undoubtedly defined by the bravery of the infantry and the scale of drone deployment. Today there is a new revolutionary change in the means available at the front, and increasingly [it is becoming] important, in particular, UAVs, which Ukraine also manufactures. We have our own electronic warfare systems, and, of course, there is a task—our own air defense system, which will be capable of countering ballistic missiles,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president assured that many in Europe are currently thinking about this and that what matters is who will be the first to achieve it—alone or together with partners.

“Ukraine can be this leader. We have reached a high level in the production and use of missiles… And we have our own software for warfare; we produce our own armored vehicles,” the President stated.

Zelensky stated that the government has not forgotten about domestic artillery.

“In every one of our combat brigades, the soldiers say that guns, shells, and repairs are needed. And we must provide this. And when I say ‘we,’ I mean truly all of us—in our country, those who work for our country, for our defense, those who bring funds into Ukraine for production, those who develop our own and attract partner and foreign weapons technologies. This is our country,” he noted.

The President of Ukraine clarified that this refers to every company that gives Ukraine strength, every Ukrainian who proves that Ukrainian weapons can be the best, and above all—to Ukrainian soldiers who, through their experience and skill, earn global respect for Ukraine.

“We are feeling this very tangibly right now, as countries in Europe, the Middle East, the Gulf, Asia, and Africa—all are very interested in having Ukrainian weapons and Ukrainian military expertise come to their defense. We are creating frameworks that will ensure this,” Zelensky said.

He assured that every Ukrainian weapons manufacturer will be able to become a global player, but clarified that (at the same time—ed.) they must work together with their government and in the interests of the Ukrainian people.

As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that every new Ukrainian development brings us closer to a lasting and dignified peace.