Dear defenders!

On behalf of the Government I congratulate You on the Day of the Ground Forces Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Land forces are the most numerous branch of the Armed Forces and play a prominent and leading role in ensuring the defense capability of our country. Ground forces troops are carrying out the most perilous assignments in Anti-Terrorist Operation Zone and they bear burnt of confronting the enemy and protecting the Ukrainian territory. The servicemen of the Ground Forces, who conduct military operations on the land, are the main assault force of the Armed Forces, thus they are the shield of the modern Ukrainian army and they continue its worthy and ambitious history. Therefore, the issue of financing the Armed Forces is high on the Government ’s agenda. By 2020 the Ukrainian Army must be in line with basic NATO standards and meet the criteria for membership in the Alliance. Such reforms and modernization, first and foremost, concern the Ground Forces, which will provide Ukraine with reliable protection of the best world level.

It is gratifying to note that ground forces constitute a basis for creating a new model of the Armed Forces that will be highly effective, optimal in number, mobile, well-armed, able to perform tasks in all conditions. We have made significant progress regarding the issue of developing our army. The ground troops are the hard nut that serves as the guarantor of the security of the state, that is also a high-quality management and logistic combination of missile forces and artillery, aviation and air defense, mechanized and tank units, special forces and engineering and combat service support.

I express my gratitude to the entire military personnel of the Ground Forces for your honest service, decent performance of military duty, devotion to the Motherland, high professionalism in military affairs, courage and valor demonstrated in battles with the enemy.

Eternal memory to the fallen soldiers!

I wish all servicemen of the Ground Forces sound health, good fortune and safe journey home!

Glory to Ukraine!

Glory to the Heroes!

Prime Minister of Ukraine                                                           Volodymyr GROYSMAN