Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed troops and military leaders on December 6, marking the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During the ceremony, Zelenskiy presented posthumous awards to the families of fallen soldiers and honoured serving men and women for their bravery. In an emotional speech, the Ukrainian leader praised the resilience and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, crediting them with holding back Russia’s full-scale invasion for nearly four years. He said Ukraine’s army has become a model for militaries around the world and stressed the importance of continuing modernisation. Zelensky underlined that Ukraine’s strength on the battlefield gives the country confidence in negotiations and asked the nation to observe a moment of silence in memory of all fallen Ukrainian warriors who gave their lives for independence.