March 26 is the Day of the fighters of the National Guard of Ukraine. This is a legendary formation, the basis of which was formed by Ukrainian volunteers.

The National Guard of Ukraine was created shortly after the proclamation of Independence of Ukraine in 1991. It was again created in the spring of 2014 in response to the hybrid russian aggression. The basis of the first combat units of the National Guard, which immediately joined the fight against russian aggression, were volunteer formations that emerged during the Revolution of Dignity. The National Guard battalions "Azov" and "Donbas" played an important role in the fight against russian proxy formations. The National Guard combines military and law enforcement functions.

In the winter of 2022, with the beginning of full-scale russian aggression, the fighters of the National Guard of Ukraine, together with the fighters of other units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, stood up to defend the independence of the state. In the first days of the war, the National Guard played an important role in the defense of the Gostomel airfield and thwarted the russians' plans to use it for the rapid capture of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. They heroically, until the last opportunity, defended the surrounded Mariupol…

In 2023, assault brigades were created within the National Guard to liberate the occupied Ukrainian territories and restore the Ukrainian constitutional order there. Subsequently, the combat units of the National Guard were united into two corps - "Azov" and "Khartiia". This year, the formation of unmanned systems regiments and a separate airspace cover regiment began within the National Guard regiments.

Along with Ukrainians, foreign volunteers also serve in the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine. Recently, these units have distinguished themselves during counterattacks in the area of the cities of Dobropillya and Kupyansk. The fighters of "Azov" distinguished themselves by capturing 18 russian invaders in one day. And  "Khartiya" distinguished themselves in the battles for Kupyansk - encircling the russian group there and raising the Ukrainian flag over the city hall.

"Over 12 years, the National Guard of Ukraine has gone through a difficult path of formation, has been hardened in battles and has gained unique combat experience, – said the commander of the National Guard, Major General Oleksandr Pivnenko. – I am proud of every fighter and commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, who in extremely difficult conditions hold the line and do not allow the enemy to realize their intentions”.

Honor. Courage. Law – this is the motto of the National Guard of Ukraine. And the National Guardsmen prove their loyalty to this motto every day, showing their will and heroism for the sake of protecting the law and security of the Ukrainian state.