Voice of Ukraine

From: Mariia Mykhaliyk in Kyiv (1238th day)

President Zelensky (translation): “On July 15, we mark an important day — the Day of Our Statehood. The Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus–Ukraine.

This day is about connection — about every stage of our state-building, and about what unites generations — those who lived on this land a thousand years ago and those who live here now.
It is a bridge through time, standing on three unshakable pillars:
Ukrainians were here. Ukrainians are here. Ukrainians will remain here.

And on this land, life always triumphs. Our values and character endure. The best of our people — those who, despite war, tears, and pain, have remained human, who protect one another — and in doing so, protect our nation. Thousands of lives, thousands of stories prove this. Stories of what we’ve lived through and what rests on our hearts, no matter who you are — soldier, teacher, musician, drone engineer, or President.

These are stories of our days, our nights, our mornings.
Of nights “on the zero line,” described by a soldier:
“They’re pressing. Coming from all sides. We hold the line. You hold on too. We read the news about peaceful cities being shelled. What can I say… this war belongs to all of us. May God grant us peace.”

And that same post, read late at night by a young mother in the subway, her daughter in her arms. The child looks around with such deep curiosity, as if wanting to remember everything — to one day tell her own children about these nights in the metro, about the heights of the human spirit.

Elsewhere, a grandfather inflates a mattress for his three grandchildren, gently tucks them in, and hears:
“Grandpa, can we watch a cartoon?”
And pulling out a tablet, he smiles:
“Of course. The Cossacks. What would bedtime be without them?”

Nearby, others settle into sleeping bags on cold firm floors — but with inner strength just as firm. The strength to get through this night. And throughout this night — on platforms, in parking lots, in shelters, corridors, and bathtubs — phones glow with dozens of alerts:
“Missiles Incoming.”
“Air defense working.”
“Remain in shelter.”

And we do remain — so we can remain Ukrainians in our own land, in our own country. So we can see the sunrise and say, against all odds:
“Good morning.”

We always believe that the morning will come.
It always has — on the steppes of Rus’, on the grounds of the Sich, through every era.

Whatever enemy came, from whatever direction — nothing hostile ever took root on this land. Ukraine remains. Ukraine endures.

And the morning always comes. You may want to sleep more, but you find the strength to rise. You message your loved ones, grateful when all is well. You read a new post from that same soldier:
“We held them off. We have a couple of hours to catch our breath.”
And someone else writes:
“We have a few urgent needs…”
You join the fundraiser and step outside.

That morning, walking through your city, you see your people.
Faces of those who still carry light in their eyes, despite everything. You see cafés opening anyway. Public transport running anyway. And you understand: The state is its people.
Their strength. Their resilience. Their sincerity. Their light.
At the bus stops, in traffic jams, in the line for morning coffee — everyone moving a little slower because they only slept a few hours. But everyone understands, everyone extends grace. To the Ukrainian men and women who’ve been holding the line for 1238 days.

And each of those days, we endure together. Through action, through help, through encouragement, through humor — because without that, we wouldn’t make it. And when women from the city crew are planting flowers in a square, you hear:
“Let that ruzzians choke — it’s summer here, and things should be beautiful!”

Each night like that is a night of resilience, each morning — a morning of unity that reveals who we truly are.

Our partners often ask:
“How do your people do it? Such strength, endurance, steel…”
They call it the Ukrainian phenomenon. Yes, it’s flattering.
But today, Ukrainians hold on not for praise or poetic headlines.
We’re simply people defending our home — because we have no other choice. We don’t want ruzzia here. That’s the truth.

Everything Ukraine endures each day — it’s not routine. It’s a great mission, carried out by you. By the heroes on the front line.
Those holding the defense. Those who shoot down missiles and drones every night. Those who extinguish fires, clear rubble.
And every citizen who has endured through all these difficult times.

I thank you. Millions of Ukrainians. Millions of strong spirits — the foundation of our state, our people, our story. The journey from the baptism of Rus’–Ukraine to today.

Our Day of Statehood.
And the legacy of every generation that now gives us the strength to believe — in ourselves, in Ukraine, in our future.
Because: Ukrainians were here. Ukrainians are here. Ukrainians will remain here.

Happy Statehood Day, dear citizens.
Happy Baptism Day of Rus’–Ukraine.
Glory to Ukraine!”