President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the advanced positions of the Special Operations Forces in the Bakhmut direction.

The press service of the Head of State reported on this.

The President came to the Donetsk region to congratulate Ukrainian special forces on their professional holiday.

He also received the report of the Command, spoke with the servicemen of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and presented them with state awards.

The President visited the command post of the SOF tactical groups in Chasiv Yar.

The Head of State listened to the Commander’s report on the operational situation in the area of responsibility, the performance of special tasks, and the units’ needs for weapons and equipment.

Zelensky noted the heroism and high professionalism of the Special Operations Forces soldiers.

“Congratulations on the Day of Special Operations Forces. An important day for Ukraine, for the Armed Forces. It is a pleasure to congratulate you. It is clear that the situation is not easy, but you are powerful people. I wish you strength, health, and victory. The people of Ukraine probably do not hear much about the SOF, because you are always in the hottest spots. But I want to say that everyone knows what guys are like in the SOF. They know that all of you are very heroic, a lot depends on you, because you are always at the first battle line,” he said.

Zelensky, in particular, awarded the soldiers with the Cross of Combat Merit of the President of Ukraine, orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky of the first degree, and presented valuable gifts.

“Thank you for everything. Thank you for your service, for what you do, for defending us all. I wish you good health and come back victorious,” the President said.

Today, July 29, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The SOF is a separate branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They include special purpose units and units of informational and psychological special operations. Special Operations Forces carry out raids behind enemy lines, carry out underground work behind the front line, and also search for and evacuate prisoners or hostages.