Today, Ukraine honors the memory of the Heroes of Kruty — brave young people, Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers who stood up for Ukrainian statehood in the face of yet another wave of Russian military aggression.

The Battle of Kruty in late January 1918 was not merely an armed clash, but a moral choice in favor of freedom, dignity, and civilizational values. It became the highest manifestation of heroism and self-sacrifice in the struggle for Ukraine’s right to be free and independent.

108 years ago, several hundred young Ukrainians stopped a Bolshevik offensive numbering in the thousands. Despite the unequal balance of forces, Ukrainian students and military cadets fought courageously for the future of Ukraine, sacrificing their lives.

As a result of this strategic battle, Ukraine gained a political opportunity to further defend its independence. At that time, negotiations were underway in Brest, which culminated in the signing of the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty and the international recognition of Ukraine’s independence.

Later, the Ukrainian and Polish armies fought together against the Bolshevik occupation, creating the “Miracle on the Vistula” in 1920 and halting the Bolshevik advance deeper into Europe. Among them were heroes who, two years earlier, had stopped Muravyov’s gangs near Kyiv. Some of them found their final resting place on Polish soil.

The Heroes of Kruty proved that even in an unequal struggle, Ukraine does not abandon its values and principles. Today, Ukrainian warriors likewise defend not only Ukraine, but also the principles upon which the free world stands. They protect the life of our country and all of Europe from Russian aggression and terror.

On this day, it is also worth recalling that 104 years after the heroic Battle of Kruty, in 2022, modern Russian occupiers were disgracefully driven away from Kyiv by today’s defenders of Ukraine. The descendants of Muravyov’s bandits encountered not a few hundred cadets and students defending the Ukrainian capital, but a strong and numerous Ukrainian army. Moscow must finally learn the lesson of history: where once there were a few hundred patriotic young men, hundreds of thousands of warriors will follow — yet Ukraine will never be subdued. It is impossible to win a war against people.

We are grateful to all partners who support our country and our defenders in repelling armed aggression, protecting our state, and safeguarding our European future. We continue working to consolidate all international efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.