Dear compatriots!

Today, the word for which generations of Ukrainians paid the highest price — Independence — is once again heard over Ukraine.

For Luhansk Region, it has a special voice. It can be heard through the roar of war, through the silence of empty cities, through the roads along which our people were forced to leave their homes. But this voice has not fallen silent. Because as long as a Luhansk resident remembers his land, Luhansk Region lives.

You can occupy the city.

You can destroy the house.

You can burn down the street.

But it is impossible to occupy a person's memory of their home.

Luhansk region is an integral part of Ukraine. And no front line, no order of the occupier, no flag of the invader can change this truth.

Today we remember everyone who stood for Ukraine.

Those who defended Luhansk region in 2014.

Those who continue to fight today.

Those who hold their ground when the going gets tough.

Those who march forward under the blue and yellow flag.

And those who did not return from this struggle.

Their blood remained in the Ukrainian land. Their names remained in our memory. And as long as we remember them, they continue to be a part of our struggle.

We will wait for the day when the Ukrainian flag rises again over Luhansk.

When it flies over Starobilsk and Svatov, over Kreminna and Rubizhne, over Siverskodonetsk and Lysychansk, over Popasna and every Ukrainian village in Luhansk Region.

And this day will definitely come.

We will not return as guests. We will return home. We will give the streets their names back.

Cities have their voices.

Children are their future.

Our memory to the fallen.

And the Ukrainian flag has a height from which no one will be able to tear it down.

Because Luhansk Region is not just a territory that needs to be put back on the map.

Luhansk region is a home that needs to be returned to the people.

And we will do it.

For the sake of those who are waiting.

For the sake of those who fight.

For the sake of those who died.

For the sake of those who will be born on free Ukrainian soil.

Luhansk region, be strong! Your flag will return. Your people will return. Your freedom will return.

And when the blue-and-yellow flag rises again over the region, we will remember everyone who made this day possible.

Glory to Ukraine!

Head of Luhansk

regional military

administration

Oleksiy KHARCHENKO