Ukraine commemorates Infantry Day on May 6

Ukraine commemorates Infantry Day, the professional holiday for Ukraine's infantry, on May 6.

Established by former President Petro Poroshenko to celebrate those performing the most difficult tasks on the front line, 2024 is the sixth time the country has celebrated the occasion. 

Separate Infantry Day was introduced in his decree "to honor the soldiers of Ukrainian Mechanized, Motorized infantry, Mountain Assault Bridages, and Ground Forces units’ courage and heroism, shown in the struggle for freedom, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the initiation modern military traditions".

Infantry Day was introduced at the initiative of Ukrainian Ground Forces command.

The Ukrainian infantry "demonstrated that even in the most difficult situations it is possible to turn the tide of events in one's own favor - even if the enemy is outnumbered, it is possible to win back Ukrainian land" during the years of fight with Russia and during its full-scale invasion, in particular, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the then Ground Forces commander, and now Armed Forces commander-in-chief, recalled in 2023.

"This is a holiday of men made of steel and courage,” he said.

“Infantry stands for endurance, courage, bravery and heroism, and about the personality - it is the basis of invincibility. [...] Infantrymen are always where the situation is difficult."

Successful counteroffensive operations when the Russian invasion began "became possible thanks to the Infantry’s clear discipline and professionalism."

Infantry Day is not only Ground Forces infantrymen holiday, but also territorial defense, Amphibious Assault troops, Marines, "and all those who stand side by side in the trenches on the front line, where heavy battles are fought,” Syrskyi reminded.

Read also: Ukrainian Armed Forces need new brigade formation strategy — Ben Hodges

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Armed Forces commander-in-chief in 2021-2024, called the infantry "the troops basis", emphasizing that it is the Rifle, Mechanized, Motorized infantry, Mountain Assault Brigades that "every day, in heavy battles, repulse the Russian invaders with dignity."

It is the Ukrainian infantry who had to face Russian soldiers in the trenches and at observation points, "bite into the ground on the front lines", and stop the enemy equipment offensive, Zaluzhnyi reminded.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted a year ago that "heroic infantry is the basis of battlefield defense", therefore - "a source of strength for all our Ukraine, for all those who fight for our state".

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine