Zelenskyy: Marine Corps, new brigades to be created in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of the Marine Corps to form new brigades and develop this component of the army on the country’s Navy Day, marked on May 23.

"I am honoured to be here today and congratulate you on the Day of the Naval Forces of Ukraine. [Today is] a special day. A special day for all Ukrainian citizens. A day of special courage, resilience, and strength of our Ukrainian Navy warriors. Today I have the honour to announce that a decision has been made to significantly increase the potential of the Ukrainian Navy – to create the [Marine] Corps,” the president made the remarks at the frontline to congratulate Ukrainian defenders, as Ukrainska Pravda reports.

According to Zelenskyy, the state will do everything to develop these troops and to provide the infantry with modern weapons and equipment, as well as to create new brigades of the Ukrainian Navy.

“We will have even more [soldiers] who know how to do even the impossible," he added.

Zelenskyy recalled the contribution of the marines to the defence of Zmiinyi Island and the city of Mariupol, the battles for Avdiivka and Volnovakha, the defence of Mykolaiv, the cover of Odesa and the defence of Kherson Oblast.

Those present at the frontline honoured the dead with a minute of silence.

The president presented the military units of the Naval Forces with the ribbon "For courage and bravery".

Zelenskyy thanked those who are bringing "a just Ukrainian victory" closer.