Russia provides direct, overt aggression against Ukraine in recent days.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said during celebrations of the Day of Knowledge at the Kyiv Ivan Bohun Military Lyceum, reports GHN based on Ukrinform.
"The situation has ever more aggravated in recent days. Straight, overt aggression against Ukraine started on the part of the neighboring state. This radically changes the situation in a combat zone, sets new and more complex tasks to our security forces," he noted.
According to the President, Ukrainian soldiers show courage and heroism in defending independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. "They demonstrate high professionalism, patriotism, and most important - boundless devotion to Ukraine. Worthy examples of service to the Motherland are before you, because the ATO participants are your parents, brothers, relatives and friends," Poroshenko emphasized.
Congratulating Lyceum students on this occasion, the President said that the prestige of military service is growing today in Ukraine, and those, who serve in the Armed Forces, rightly reclaim a status of the true elite of the society.
"For the first time during the existence of modern Ukraine, the military became the object of love, support and pride of the people. I know that this solidarity gives confidence and courage," he said.
He also stressed that the Ukrainian Army will always be a subject of priority to the state. The Army is expected to be rearmed and high-tech weapons will appear in the Army, the President said.
The participants paid tribute to the Lyceum graduates, who gave their lives defending Ukraine, with a moment of silence.
Poroshenko also attended the ceremony of presenting the shoulder boards to Lyceum freshmen. Lyceum units passed in review before the President. He also briefly talked with parents of Lyceum students, who attended the ceremony.