Zelenskyy congratulated rescue workers on their professional holiday and called on everyone to remember those who lost their lives
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Rescuer Day. The head of state thanked the SES specialists for their service and specifically called on everyone to remember the rescuers who died while performing their duties.
Addressing the employees of the State Emergency Service, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized their vital role during a full-scale war.
According to the president, there are currently 56,000 specialists working in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, including more than 10,000 women.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that these people risk their own lives every day to save others.
“These are all people who care deeply about what happens to others, and this is all an extraordinary service to goodness and humanity,” the president said.
He added that since the start of the full-scale war, nearly 1,000 SES employees have been honored with state awards of Ukraine.
Six State Emergency Service employees received the highest state title—Hero of Ukraine—along with the Order of the “Golden Star.”
Two of them were awarded this title posthumously.
The president specifically emphasized the need to remember the rescuers who died while performing their duties.
“I ask that we remember each and every one of them—all the rescuers who, while protecting people and saving lives, gave their own lives,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
The head of state also expressed gratitude to all State Emergency Service employees for their daily work and for saving people’s lives.
“Thank you for saving lives and people!” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy congratulated the rescuers on their professional holiday pic.twitter.com/2LkQgpVJe3
— GLAVKOM (@GLAVCOM_UA) September 17, 2026
Rescuer’s Day in Ukraine is celebrated as a professional holiday for State Emergency Service (SES) employees who participate in emergency response and rescue operations.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote about this on Telegram.
On September 17, according to the New Julian calendar, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine commemorates the holy martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov, and their mother Sofia. This day is dedicated to the memory of women who remained steadfast in their Christian faith and suffered a martyr’s death for their beliefs.
On September 17, people with both male and female names celebrate their name days. There are particularly many female names on this day, including Vira, Nadiya, Lyubov, Iryna, Oleksandra, and Sofia, while among men, you can congratulate Ivan, Illia, Pavlo, and others. Here’s what these names mean, where they come from, and some beautiful ways to congratulate those celebrating their name days.
