06 July 2014, 08:00
citizens of the city of Kovel of Volyn oblast
Dear friends!
I sincerely congratulate you on the memorable date - the 70th liberation anniversary of Kovel from fascist invaders.
On this commemorative day we bow low in deep respect before the bright memory of the heroes that liberated their Homeland and stood for its freedom and independence in heavy fighting.
More than three years of occupation, almost totally destroyed city and more than 15 thousand of soldiers died in battles for the liberation of Kovel – this is the tragic heritage the war left on your land. However, due to the valour and self-devotion of our people, the city has recovered from ruins and won a new life. Today, in the period of complicated tests Ukraine faces, ancestors of those heroes are united by a steadfast love to their Homeland and a sincere believe in the happy future of the generations to come.
On this day with special gratitude we honor veterans who won us peaceful life. We bow low to you for the Great Victory, for labour achievements in the post-war time and for wisdom and support to the development of independent and democratic Ukraine. Your deed, dear veterans, teaches us not only to value and preserve peace but to courageously protect freedom and dignity of our people, as well as inviolability of state borders.
I wish all the citizens of Kovel sound health, long life, welfare and cloudless peaceful sky!
Oleksandr TURCHYNOV