Oleksandr Turchynov: A potent army is impossible not only without modern weapons and military equipment, but also without decent wages

Secretary of National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov took part in celebrations on the occasion of receiving certificates for apartments by 80 servicemen of the National Guard of Ukraine.

When congratulating National Guardsmen, Oleksandr Turchynov stressed that a potent army is impossible not only without modern weapons and military equipment, but also without decent wages and resolving of social and domestic issues of servicemen. "That is why in Defense Budget for the next year significant resources are allocated to increase wages of military, for housing construction, as well as to create modern household conditions in duty stations", - he stressed.

"|Today, eighty National Guardsmen will become owners of apartments in new residential complex. There are heroes among you, who have participated in hostilities near Slovyansk and Popasna, Ilovaisk and Donetsk, Mariupol and Vuhlehirsk, Shyrokino, Debaltsevo, who from the first days of aggression against our country have met the enemy, where it was most dangerous" - Oleksandr Turchynov said.

"We have lost a lot of friends, but their feat, their heroism will always be in our hearts", - NSDC Secretary said. After that all present honored the memory of fallen heroes with a minute silence.

According to him, residential complex for military personnel is being built in the pine forest of elite suburban area, where before that only summer residences for high officials and wealthy businessmen were being built. "And now the accommodation for the true Ukrainian elite is being built here - for those who chose defending of the homeland as their profession, - NSDC Secretary stressed. - Exactly you are a true elite of the nation, you are those, whom Ukrainian people are proud of".

In addition, as Oleksandr Turchynov noted, the residential complex was built with the use of energy-saving technologies "that will allow residents to rest comprehensively and safely and to feel comfortable in new homes". Also, according to him, there is a playground in the complex.

According to him, in 2015 just in Kiev garrison 147 apartments were allocated for military personnel of the National Guard of Ukraine and their families. "Of course, this is still not enough to provide housing for everyone, but we hope to gradually change the situation for the better", - NSDC Secretary said, adding that it is further planned to build two more "cozy and comfortable houses at this area next year".