An Open Letter of Thanks to Ukrainian Compatriots

The soldiers, noncommissioned, and commissioned officers of the 6th Detached Mechanized Brigade, who fought hard battles against terrorist groupings on April 6-7 in Al-Qut, express sincere gratitude to their compatriots who felt their hearts go out to them in those difficult hours that smelt of gunpowder.

Full of pride and words of support for the Ukrainian warriors, letters from ordinary individuals and officials of all levels had a better effect on us than all kinds of adaptation programs might do and made us reiterate our stand that our peacekeeping mission in Iraq is necessary and our actions are right.

Although it was very hard to hold on, no the Ukrainian soldiers retreated unless ordered to do so by his commanders. Everybody did in that situation what he was supposed to do. Everybody showed on the battlefield what he was supposed to.

We are grateful to our compatriots for understanding our moral, psychological, and physical condition. We are grateful to our near and dear and to all Ukrainians for the trust that we suppose we have fully justified.

The time that has passed since those fierce battles has shown who really cares for their armed force and their defenders. We are embittered to hear and read abusive words hurled at us by armchair strategists whom we will also have to protect should, God forbid, Ukraine ever be attacked.

Our subordinates displayed high skill, professionalism, gallantry, courage and self-denial in those battles against terrorists. Most of the former had never thought hey were capable of this, but the times of trouble let them reveal their best qualities.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we, commanders, can vouchsafe that each of our subordinates is a highly reliable comrade-in-arms. We also want to thank their parents and teachers for the way they brought them up.

The skillful and effective tactics of the battles in Al-Qut proves that the current system of the military education of Ukrainian defenders is correct and excellent. But now we are also prepared to instill in it some new elements for combating terrorist groupings which represent special danger nowadays.

We express gratitude to our compatriots. We promise to continue living up to your expectations.

Major Oleksandr MYRONIUK, commander, reconnaissance company;
Major Leonid BILASH, commander, military police company;
Captain Oleksandr OSTAPCHUK, commander, staff support company;
Captain Andriy HUMENIUK, commander, mechanized infantry company;
Captain Ihor SEMIONOV, commander, mechanized infantry company —
all from the 6th Detached Mechanized Brigade

April 16, 2004
Al-Qut, Republic of Iraq