Oleksandr Turchynov: The battalion n.a. Kulchytsky today as always is ready to fulfill its military duty

"With the great respect and esteem, I want to say that the battalion n.a. Kulchytsky is a signature military unit, which was one of the first to face the attack of the enemy, and which today stands at the front line, ready to fulfill its duty", - Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov stated, speaking during the festivities on the occasion of the anniversary of creation of the National Guard of Ukraine unit - battalion n.a. General Kulchytsky, held with the participation of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday.

Mr. Turchynov emphasized that two years ago, at the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine, there were no Armed Forces in the country. According to the General Staff estimates, he said, at least, two months were needed to restore the combat capability of the Army, "but we had to fight exactly at that moment".

NSDC Secretary of Ukraine reminded that on March 13, 2014, the Parliament supported the law on creation of the National Guard, which he signed as the Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the acting President of Ukraine that same day.

"It was decided to turn to those, who then were in ranks of self-defense of Maidan, who with their own blood and their own lives have protected Ukraine from the tyranny", - Mr. Turchynov said, addressing the audience.

"Already on March 13 the tent has been set near the stage of Maidan and the enrollment of volunteers, who would go to the front, has started. This is how the history of the famed battalion, which rightly bears the name of Hero of Ukraine General Kulchytsky, has started, - NSDC Secretary of Ukraine noted.

"Many of those, who went to the front, have not returned, having given their lives for our country, for our free way, for freedom and independence", - he said. Participants of the meeting on the proposal of Mr. Turchynov honored with a minute of silence the memory of the fallen heroes.

NSDC Secretary of Ukraine stated that today, unfortunately, "the threat is not getting lesser". "Yes, today the Army is combat-capable, we increase the capacity of our Defense-Industrial Complex, restore the missile potential, provide the needs of our Army, of the National Guard with our domestic equipment and modern weapons", - Oleksandr Turchynov said, adding at the same time that, "unfortunately, up to the present there is no military-technical cooperation with our partners". "They are afraid to irritate Russia. And we have no other way but by our own efforts, by our own blood and lives to defend the state and ensure the future of our children", - he said.

The festivities were also attended by the First Deputy to the Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine General of the Army of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak, Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Lieutenant General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Allerov.

The President of Ukraine and NSDC Secretary of Ukraine conferred state awards on the fighters of battalion n.a. General Kulchytsky.