Heroes of Kruty are symbol of unbroken spirit – President

The President stated this in his address to the Ukrainian people on the Day of Heroes of Kruty, the press service of the Head of State reports.

"I appeal to young people who join the ranks of the defenders of our country following their heart and worthily perform the military oath. Please accept my sincere thanks for your courage and willingness to serve the Motherland," Poroshenko said.

He stressed that today Ukraine commemorated the feat of the patriots of the Ukrainian People's Republic who gave their lives for the freedom of their native land, who are the symbol of unbroken spirit of the younger generation of Ukrainians in the struggle for their own state.

The President reminded that January 29, 1918, a small unit consisted mainly of the Student Battalion of Sich Riflemen, a unit of the Khmelnytsky Cadet School, and a Free Cossacks company- the students of Kyiv universities and schoolboys of the senior classes – tried to block the movement of Bolsheviks in Chernihiv region heading to Kyiv. Over half of the 400 men were killed during the battle, which lasted up to five hours. The battle near Kruty was held shortly after the UPR had declared its independence.

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