Mykolaiv became a reliable outpost of Ukraine in the south, as stated by President Petro Poroshenko at the meeting with veterans of the Second World War, ATO participants and volunteers. "It is hard to believe that a year ago, someone tried to sow the seeds of "Russian spring" here. They failed: the soil is Ukrainian," the President emphasized.

Petro Poroshenko added that the fate of the so-called DPR and LPR, where terror, injustice and violence prevail, had been planned for Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv. "They still do not give up these attempts. Each day, we block the channels of terrorism export to Ukraine," the President emphasized. Recently, the Security Service of Ukraine seized the terrorist group, which planned the murder of political figures, terrorist attacks and disruptions of public mass rallies.

The Head of State added that the enemy wanted Ukrainians to oppose one another. But hard challenges united the people into a modern Ukrainian-European political nation.

The President has thanked volunteers for supporting the ATO participants and their families. "Mykolaiv volunteers are decent representatives of Ukrainian volunteer movement," the President said.

Petro Poroshenko presented state awards to the militaries that demonstrated courage in the defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as to the volunteers of Mykolaiv.

The President has also awarded Mykolaiv veterans - participants of the Second World War. "This war couldn't be won without Ukraine! There is nothing to talk about! The contribution of Ukrainians to the victory over Nazism is huge. The words of Russian authorities are an insult to the memory of the fallen soldiers and mockery of the feelings of living veterans," Petro Poroshenko said.

According to the Head of State, Ukrainians will pay tribute to the victims of the war on May 8 with the entire Europe. On May 9, the entire Ukraine will celebrate the Victory Day.