The 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the 20th Army Corps of the Ukrainian Ground Forces observed Palm Sunday—one of the most important Christian holidays, which symbolizes Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is a day that reminds us of humility, faith, and the inner strength necessary to endure the most difficult trials.
The brigade’s servicemen were addressed by Chaplain Pavlo Krukovskyi of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade, Assistant Chaplain Vitalii Mytsevskyi of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade, and guest Chaplain Bohdan Statkevych of the 1226th Separate Engineer-Sapper Battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Troops of Operational Support. They congratulated the soldiers on the holiday and shared words of support that resonate particularly deeply in the context of war.
Vitaliy Mytsevsky, in particular, emphasized:
“Today we commemorate Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem—the day he was welcomed as a king. But he came not by force of arms, but in humility and knowing what lay ahead of him.
People expected a quick victory, but God showed a different path, one that is deeper and harder. For you, our brothers-in-arms, our soldiers, our defenders, this has special meaning. You know what it means to wait for victory, what the price of victory is.
You know that it does not come easily. And just as Christ moved forward, not retreating in the face of difficulties, so today you stand for your brothers-in-arms, for your families, for your land.
Christ did not simply walk toward suffering; he knew what he was walking toward. And this gives us an answer.
When you know what you are standing for, you can endure anything. But we must remember that God does not turn away. He is with us in the dugout, at the front line, on the road, and in every decision we make.
He sees every sacrifice, every step, every act of faithfulness. May this day remind you that your struggle has meaning. God is not indifferent to it. Even in the darkest times, there is a light that never goes out.”
These words sound today like an answer to many questions. Ukrainian soldiers stand for their comrades, for their families, for the future of the state. And this certainty of purpose gives them the strength to move forward even when it is hard.
Palm Sunday in Ukrainian tradition is associated with the blessing of willow branches—a symbol of life, renewal, and hope. While palm branches are the symbol of the holiday around the world, in Ukraine they have been replaced by the willow, which is the first to come to life after winter. And today this symbol is particularly meaningful—for even after the hardest periods of life, renewal comes.
For the soldiers of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade, this holiday has deep meaning. It symbolizes faith in victory, the ability to endure, and an understanding of why the struggle continues. It is a day that reminds us: even in the darkness, there is light, and it does not fade.
We thank the chaplains for their constant presence alongside the soldiers, for the support that strengthens the spirit and helps them hold on. Their work is an invisible but extremely important front that shapes the moral resilience of our fighters.
May this holiday give everyone strength, faith, and confidence. May it strengthen the spirit, unite us, and lead us forward—toward a just peace and Ukraine’s victory.
The fight continues!
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