President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about a special military meeting in a closed session and emphasizing the importance of as many Ukrainians as possible supporting the defense of their country.

"I wish health to all dear Ukrainians!

Today is the National Guard Day, and it would be right if we all thanked the national guardsmen together. For how the National Guard fights alongside all our soldiers for Ukraine. Thank you for your strength and bravery in defending Donbas. For the defense of Bakhmut and Avdiivka. For the heroic defense of Mariupol and "Azovstal". For battles on Luhansk territory. For battles on Kyiv territory, for the battle for Kyiv. Together with all forces of defense and security of Ukraine, guardsmen drove the occupier out of northern regions of our country, from Kharkiv region. They hold the defense in the south, along the Zaporizhzhia direction.

I would like to separately thank for "The Guard of Advance", which has already become an example of exemplary formation of new brigades for Ukrainian defense.

During the full-scale war, almost 5 thousand national guardsmen have been awarded state awards — precisely for their participation in battles, for bravery, for steadfastness, for combat results achieved by the National Guard. 32 fighters of the National Guard were honored with the title of Hero of Ukraine.

I thank all guardsmen: soldiers, sergeants, officers, command! I thank everyone who helps national guard units, who trains fighters, provides them with everything necessary, helps with medical treatment after injuries, rehabilitation.

The strength of Ukraine is the strength of all those who fight for Ukraine and help fighters. And to imagine our state power without the National Guard is simply impossible.

Today there was a meeting with military — a special military meeting, a closed session. I also held meetings with the security sector, with intelligence.

Defense, strengthening of our protection — both from external threats and internal ones. We are preparing our appropriate steps.

Constantly, unchanging maximum attention — to the situation on the front line. Harsh battles that take lives of our people every day and demand constant mobilization of our state and society.

It is wrong, it is unfair when fighters who come from the frontline feel as if for many in the rear the war has already ended. For those who are not just far from Donetsk or Mykolaiv, from Saltivka, from border regions of Sumy region, from Zaporizhzhia... But whose thoughts are far from trenches, from daily pain of Ukrainians.

Now, as a year ago, we cannot afford to have our minds far from the war, even though thanks to our soldiers real combat actions take place geographically far from many. Now, as a year ago, it is important that as many Ukrainians as possible support the defense of their country and help accumulate global support for our victory.

Dear Ukrainians! Support our fighters whenever you can. Do not forget about volunteer collections and join when you have the opportunity.

It is very important that everyone who has an information influence participate in informational work. This applies not only to journalists. It concerns all those who can spread the truth about aggression. Who are capable of reminding the world about Ukrainians and Ukrainian women who went through occupation, losses... About how Ukraine fights for freedom and justice both for our people and for all nations threatened by Russian tyranny. The world must hear as intensely this year as last that the aggression against Ukraine continues. Must hear that stopping the war this year, freeing Ukraine from Russian evil this year — is a common task of civilized world. Because civilized means, among other things, resolute to protect civilization.

Met with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom and his team — an organization engaged in humanitarian support and protection of children. Orlando Bloom has been working seriously on this direction for a long time. He was already in Ukraine, on our Donbas, even before the full-scale war. And knows what this aggression brought, how comprehensive global efforts must be to stop it, to restore Ukraine after the war.

We discussed issues of rebuilding our country, our school infrastructure. I am grateful for this help. We agreed that our teams will work on several fronts.

In particular, this is about returning our children who were forcibly taken to Russia, creating bomb shelters for our little ones. And third — technical support for distance learning in those regions and areas where it is impossible to study offline due to respective threats.

Today, as always, I will honor our soldiers who gave a significant result to Ukraine over the past day, this day, generally this week.

57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, 5th Separate Assault Brigade and 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade — well done, guys! Thank you for your strength!

Marines of the 35th and 36th separate brigades, fighters of the 55th artillery brigade "Zaporizhzhia Sich" — all in Donetsk region — thank you for being the best week after week!

Also today I would like to honor our soldiers of OSUV "North", who defend Sumy and Chernihiv regions. This is also defense from attempts to bring DGR through the border, this is protection of Ukraine from air strikes, this is defense against artillery terror.

Thank you to all our anti-aircraft soldiers "North", everyone who defends our state border, everyone whose courage and accuracy teach the enemy that Ukraine will not be taken by the Kremlin.

Glory to all our warriors in battle!

Thank you to everyone who helps with defense!

Eternal glory and respect to all our soldiers who gave their lives for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!"