Oleksandr Danyliuk: It is our duty to appreciate and remember thanks to whom and at what cost we get peace

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Danyliuk took part in the celebrations on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of the Ilovaisk battle, which took place today at Mykhailivska Square.

"On this day, we honor all those who gave their lives for peace in Ukraine and those who survived this nightmare. 5 years have passed since the tragic events in Ilovaysk. 368 boys gave their lives for the freedom and liberty of Ukraine. 429 were injured. 18 are held captive. Thousands of lives of civilians have been maimed, part of the territory lost, all of which is the result of one of the treacherous traps set by the aggressor for Ukraine", - the NSDC Secretary said during a speech before the ATO fighters and families of fallen warriors.

Oleksandr Danyliuk stressed that the aggressor did this to intimidate Ukraine. "But the feat of the fighters who participated in the battles for Ilovaysk united the Ukrainians even more and made them counter the invaders with even greater valor", - he said.

The NSDC Secretary noted that it is the people - courageous, strong and adamant - that is the basis of our statehood, the real bearer of power.

"None of those 1700 soldiers and all the defenders of Ukraine did not think about regalia or the title of hero. They just acted because they simply could do no other. They protected their brothers, their land, their relatives, and they accomplished their duty. But now it is our duty to appreciate and remember thanks to whom and at what cost we get peace", - the NSDC Secretary underscored in his speech addressing the participants of the Ilovaysk battle.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to all who personally participated in those events who defended our land from the invaders, for your courage and self-sacrifice. Thank you to all heroes of Ukraine!"