Valerii Zaluzhnyi

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

National Defence Academy of Ukraine  Embassy of Ukraine in the UK

London, England, United Kingdom

https://uk.mfa.gov.ua/en

It is an extraordinary pleasure to write the foreword to a wonderful book by a true friend of Ukraine, Boris Johnson. A man who gave our Armed Forces a chance to fight. Who earned respect in our country with his bright life. Because when we remember Boris, we remember Britain and its huge support for Ukraine in the darkest times.

The British side’s decision to transfer NLAW anti-tank systems allowed us not only to successfully destroy Russian armored formations in 2022, but also to enter parity with them and become more effective due to a higher level of management organization and tactics of application.

I had a chance to meet Boris Johnson in person back in April 2022 in Kyiv, but it didn’t work out. In the end, we met in 2025 – I shook his hand and finally hugged him tightly and thanked for everything.

His memories in this book are a valuable evidence of the era and a personal look at how Putin prepared and launched a full-scale invasion. It is about true solidarity with Ukraine and about documenting history that inspires the world not to forget the struggle of Ukrainians.

Comment from :

Larry Provost, M.P.S., M. Div.

Strategic Communications & Outreach-VSO Liaison at U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Boris Johnson, like Churchill, saw the threat before most and warned Western Civilization. His support was the critical gateway for the West to decide to help Ukraine.

……………..

The premiere of the documentary “Steel Birds” about the unique operation of the spring of 2022 – the breakthrough of Ukrainian helicopters to the surrounded “Azovstal” – is underway.

Thanks to flights behind enemy lines, it was possible not only to rescue several dozen seriously wounded defenders of Mariupol, but also to deliver to the garrison vital supplies, weapons, and even volunteers for reinforcements.

Now we can say that the resilience of the defenders of Mariupol allowed us to gain time in those first weeks of the big war. While the Russians were storming “Azovstal” with large forces, we were building defenses – from Zaporizhzhia to Volnovakha. And Zaporizhzhia survived thanks to the resilience of those who fought in Mariupol.

The pilots, for whom every “flight” to “Azovstal” could be a one-way flight, helped the Mariupol defenders hold out for 86 long days.

I am grateful to the filmmakers for bringing this story of sacrifice and heroism to a wide audience, and for documenting the memory of the pilots and fighters who gave their lives.

A bright memory to the fallen defenders of Mariupol.
Glory to those who persevered where it seemed impossible🇺🇦

Comment from :

Jonathan Shroyer

Gaming at iQor | Foresite Inventor | 3X Exit Founder, 20X Investor Return | Keynote Speaker, 100+ stages

Stories like this are a reminder of what true courage looks like. The sacrifices made during those days will never be forgotten.

Stewart Maxwell

I met one of the few doctors to survive and get out of Mariupol, Igor now working in lviv as a GP. What a really nice man, 30 years working in the steel plant was bombed out of his family home. Looking forward to meeting him again soon.

…………..

The book “Hunting for the Cruiser “Moskva” has been published. This is a thorough and very interesting work by Oleksandr Chudnovets and Andrii Bulavin about the history of the former flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which was sunk by the Ukrainian Defense Forces four years ago. I had the honor of writing the introductory word to this book.

I remember those difficult days in April 2022, when we did not yet know what this war against Russia, with its vast resources and fleet, would be like. The destruction of the cruiser “Moskva” had not only a purely military significance for the situation near the Ukrainian coast. It was also a bright beginning to the end of the myth of the powerful Russian Black Sea Fleet.

The destruction of the cruiser “Moskva” was the result of a unique synergy of our engineers, military and civilian sailors. They had a single goal and almost a single chance. And they used it.

The main factor in success was not only the correct tactical use of weapons, but also the ability to exploit the enemy’s weaknesses. The sinking of the “Moskva” is actually one of the first cases in history when a cruiser was destroyed by an anti-ship cruise missile.

Apparently, we had no other choice but to destroy this symbol. However, the idea of ​​destroying air defense systems has already become the goal of all further actions. Here is the key to the enemy’s heart – its air defense, which we are observing even now.

I would like to express my gratitude to the authors and publishers of the book. Thanks to you, the brightest moments of our modern military history are being documented and are now available to an international audience.

It will still be difficult for us, but we will definitely never be ashamed!

……………

Blood, sweat, courage, and the heavy burden of war on your shoulders. All of this begins at some point and seems to have no end.
There are always empty seats in your ranks, because you hold on not as long as possible, but as long as necessary.
You are not just an example of resilience, you are this strength. The strength that courageously looks not only the enemy, but also death in the eyes.
Every piece of our land always has the taste of your blood and sweat.
Thank you for your service. I am proud to have been with you.
It will still be difficult for you, but you will definitely never be ashamed.
Glory to the Ukrainian infantry🇺🇦
A bright memory to the fallen.