РНБОУ National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine

Greetings of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov on the occasion of the Day of the Border Guard

I sincerely congratulate all the guardians of the state frontiers!

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Special Corps of Border Guards - the predecessor of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. The soldiers of the Special Corps of Border Guard defended the borders of the Ukrainian State, controlled the movement of persons, countered the illegal movement of goods, detained defectors, and criminal elements, laying the foundations for the work of modern border guards.

And today the border of civilized Europe begins with the Ukrainian border. You are guarding the front edge of Ukraine's defense, heroically and selflessly fulfill your constitutional duty, defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect the peace of our citizens. I express my sincere gratitude to you for the flawless performance of military duty, resilience, dignity, patriotism!

We bow our heads low before the border warriors who died defending their homeland!

We will do our utmost to make the state border an insurmountable European fort for the enemy - securely protected and technically equipped. A significant step in this direction was the introduction of biometric control, which significantly improved the security situation in the country and greatly complicated the access of Russian spies, saboteurs, and provocateurs to Ukraine.

I wish you courage, patience, endurance and good health! Return healthy and alive from the combat duty! May God save you, your families and our native Ukraine!

Happy holidays!