Defenders of Ukraine Day and Ukrainian Cossacks Day are days of strength, dignity, and unbreakable spirit. We honor those who stand guard over our freedom today and those who defended it in the past: from the glorious Cossacks to modern heroes.
“On Guard for Peace” is a national patriotic event that took place on October 1 on the occasion of the holiday at the V. Otamanovsky Vinnytsia Regional Universal Scientific Library with the assistance of the Vinnytsia State Center for Aesthetic Education of Students of Vocational and Technical Educational Institutions.
The event, organized as part of the “Heroes Live Nearby” series, was attended by Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen, participants and veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war, writers, educators, as well as 50 students from the Vinnytsia Interregional Higher Vocational School, the Vinnytsia Higher Vocational School No. 7, and the Vinnytsia Higher Vocational School No. 11.
The meeting began with words of gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a minute of silence in memory of all the fallen heroes who gave their lives for independence and peace in Ukraine.
During the event “On Guard for Peace,” everyone present had the opportunity to hear the stories of our brave compatriots—the defenders of our country.
Volodymyr Bilenkyi, a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, served in the airborne assault troops for over two and a half years (2021–2024), took part in combat operations in Donbas, Kharkiv region, and the Orikhiv district, defending Ukraine. Volodymyr told those present about his military and combat career from the first days of the full-scale war, showed photos of military exercises, everyday combat life, and photos of his comrades, including Volodymyr's father, with whom he defended our country.
Iryna Tkachuk, psychological officer, participant in the ATO/OOS combat operations and the Russian-Ukrainian war, head of the psychological recovery group. She has been in service since 2016. Iryna talked about the work of a military psychologist, her combat missions with units, her time “on the front line,” providing psychological and medical assistance to soldiers in the combat zone, and the service and military life of girls and women at war. She reinforced her story with photos and videos, emphasizing that the psychological state of soldiers on the battlefield is no less important than physical training, and that working with a military psychologist yields tremendous results in terms of the internal state of soldiers.
Musical greetings were performed by the wonderful folk vocal ensemble “Oberig” of the M. Kotsyubinsky VDPU, led by director Nina Begas and Zoia Krasuliak, head of the military unit library, poet, singer-bard, and mother of sons who are currently defending our country.
The organizers of the event sincerely believe that this meeting will leave a deep mark in the hearts of young people, strengthen their patriotic spirit, great respect for Ukrainian soldiers, and understanding of the price of freedom, because this is a living example of courage, fortitude, and love for their native land.
Together – to victory for the future of Ukraine!
