Today, on Defenders Day of Ukraine, Ukrainian Cossack Day, and the feast of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, a special day arrived for first-year students of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs: they solemnly took the Oath of a National Police of Ukraine officer.

From now on, their words of loyalty to the Ukrainian people, of adherence to the Constitution and laws of Ukraine, and of defending human rights and freedoms are more than a ceremonial formula. They are a commitment that each cadet will have to affirm through his or her actions.

On this day, the cadets were joined by their parents and relatives, instructors, commanders, representatives of state authorities and local self-government, community leaders, and representatives of territorial bodies and units of the National Police of Ukraine.

The ceremony was attended by the Rector of KhNUIA, Police General of the Third Rank Valerii Sokurenko; Yurii Parkhomenko, Head of the Main Department of the National Police in Vinnytsia Region; and Ivan Ishchenko, Head of the Main Department of the National Police in Khmelnytskyi Region.

Those present observed a minute of silence in memory of the defenders of Ukraine who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the country, and laid flowers at the memorials to the fallen Heroes.

The first-year cadets swore to serve the Ukrainian people faithfully, to comply with the Constitution and laws of Ukraine, to protect human rights and freedoms, and to safeguard the state. After taking the Oath, each cadet received a police badge bearing a personal number.

Addressing the first-year cadets, Rector Valerii Sokurenko stressed the special responsibility they are assuming by choosing the police profession: "Dear first-year cadets! You have chosen the profession of a police officer at an extraordinarily difficult time for our country. Remember that the Oath is an inviolable order always to stand in defence of the Ukrainian people. Be strong and unbreakable, love your land and your people. Our graduates are serving today in every corner of Ukraine. Be worthy of their example and of the memory of the Heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine. Safeguard the good name of a cadet of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, and live up to the trust of your instructors and commanders. I congratulate you on taking the Oath of a police officer! Serve and study in such a way that people respect you and God protects you! Glory to Ukraine!"

The Rector also thanked the country's leadership, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, the heads of regional military administrations, and the heads of local self-government bodies for their support of the university and for helping to create proper conditions for the education and training of future police officers.

During the ceremony, KhNUIA employees and war veterans were honoured with awards and letters of gratitude. These included the Presidential distinction "For the Defence of Ukraine," letters of gratitude from the Main Departments of the National Police in Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi Regions, and certificates of honour from the Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi Region Military Administrations.

The ceremony concluded with performances by the university's creative groups. The female sabre fencers, the drum corps, and the vocal and choreographic numbers provided a vivid finale to a day that will now hold special meaning for the first-year cadets.

Ahead of them there lie years of study, professional training, new knowledge, challenges, and first steps in service. But today they did something they will remember for the rest of their lives: they swore an oath to the Ukrainian people.

KhNUIA Press Office