A ceremonial event marking Lyceist Induction Day at the MIA lyceums and military lyceums was held with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vygivskyi, and Minister of Defence of Ukraine Yevhen Khmara.

   In his address to the lyceists, the Head of State thanked the young people for choosing the mission of being a source of protection, strength and hope for Ukraine.

   “We very much want to end the war, and we are doing everything to make this happen — to ensure peace in Ukraine and guarantee security. We have to go through this path. We are doing everything so that you become guarantors of security for a peaceful Ukraine. I wish this for you, and I believe that you will truly become outstanding officers of the Ukrainian Army and our Defence and Security Forces,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

   During the Lyceist Oath ceremony, the students solemnly pledged to love their native land, honour the great history of the Ukrainian state, take pride in the culture and language of their people, uphold its enduring values, respect state symbols and comply with the Constitution and laws of Ukraine, live up to the heroic deeds of those who stood up to defend the Motherland, protect the honour, dignity and good name of a lyceist, and spare no effort in strengthening a free, independent and sovereign state. 

   Addressing first-year students in Kyiv, Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Kryvyi Rih, Ivano-Frankivsk and Khmelnytskyi, Ivan Vygivskyi noted that it was especially meaningful and symbolic that the Lyceist Induction Ceremony took place on the Day of Defenders and Defendresses of Ukraine. Becoming part of the MIA lyceum family is a responsible choice and the beginning of a path for conscious citizens of their state who will continue the struggle for its freedom.

   “Today, in the lyceums for security and national-patriotic education of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and at the lyceum of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, this is truly a landmark event — the moment when you have chosen a serious, challenging and highly responsible path. I am confident that during these two years of study you will acquire valuable skills, knowledge and strength, and will be worthy of the heroic deeds of the defenders who are protecting our state today. I am convinced that many of you will become future leaders of our country who will secure its future,” Ivan Vygivskyi emphasized. 

   The lyceists were also addressed with a welcoming speech by Oleksandr Hanzha, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration. He congratulated the young men and women on this important occasion and emphasized their future role in shaping the country’s security environment.

   Representatives of central executive authorities also joined the ceremony. They congratulated the lyceists on the beginning of a new stage and wished them success in their studies, perseverance and dedicated service to Ukraine. 

   Those present observed a minute of silence to honour the memory of all fallen defenders and defendresses of Ukraine.

   The ceremony of presenting lyceist shoulder boards took place under the words “Wear them with honour!” and “I study for Ukraine.” 

   A new tradition is being established in our lyceums: on Lyceist Induction Day, each first-year class will be assigned a patron — a prominent Ukrainian figure whose life, strength of spirit, talent and service to the Motherland can serve as an example for the new generation of lyceists.

   This year, the second-year lyceists announced that Ivan Sirko would become the patron of the first-year students for their period of study at the lyceum.

   “May the example of Ivan Sirko become a symbol of resilience and love for Ukraine. Learn about his life journey, continue good deeds and build upon his achievements. Be worthy of the name of your patron!”

   The second-year students also read the Lyceist Code of Honour, which, among other things, calls on lyceists to be worthy of the cause of those who fought for Ukraine, remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, and preserve the honour and good name of the lyceum brotherhood. After the solemn presentation of the Code to the first-year students, all the students performed the Anthem of MIA Lyceists together. 

   From this day forward, the first-year students officially became part of the large lyceum family and the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.