Zelensky talked with participants of Ukrainian Antarctic expedition. VIDEO&PHOTOS
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, held a meeting via video link with the participants of the 27th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition, which went to the Akademik Vernadsky station in March 2022, after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
As Censor.NET informs, this was reported by the press service of the Head of State.
The meeting took place on the 160th anniversary of the birth of the first president of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Volodymyr Vernadsky, in whose honor the Ukrainian Antarctic station was named.
The head of state noted that he is extremely pleased to see Ukrainian scientists and researchers who are so far away from Ukraine doing important work for their country.
"I would like to thank you for the fact that, despite the war, we are not stopping our steps towards the development of independent Ukrainian science. Today is an important date for us, and it is important that we have the opportunity to communicate with you," he said.
Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the state supports the work of Ukrainian polar explorers.
The participants of the 27th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition thanked Volodymyr Zelensky for the fact that the state allows them to continue doing science.
In particular, the head of the expedition Yuriy Otruba noted the importance of the acquisition with the assistance of the President of Ukraine after the appeal of the polar explorers of the research icebreaker "Noosphere".
Polar workers are also carrying out technical modernization of the "Akademik Vernadsky" station, for which appropriate budget funding was allocated.
"Our station conducts scientific research that is valuable for Ukraine and for the world community," Yuriy Otruba emphasized.
Thus, the President was told about the study of the impact of the Arctic and Antarctic on the climate of the planet, participation in the international project "Year of Polar Predictions", the launching of climate probes into the atmosphere at a distance of more than 10 kilometers, which provide vital data for modeling the weather forecast, the continuation of observations of the ozone layer, operation of the magnetic observatory.
The head of the expedition noted that polar explorers try to contribute to Ukraine's struggle for independence and future, even from a distance. They appealed to the scientific community with the demand to stop any projects with Russia. Another relevant appeal was sent to all polar stations today.
In addition, Antarctic auctions were held where products of polar explorers, chevrons, etc. were sold to raise funds to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as charity tours of the station. A separate project in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was the "Invincibility Postcard" campaign, within the framework of which a set of photos from Antarctica is sent for a contribution to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukrainian polar explorers also organized the first art and educational project in Antarctica - the art installation "House of Memories". It reproduces the outlines of a Ukrainian house around a fuel tank, which reminds polar explorers of their home. For tourists, this is an opportunity to get to know Ukraine through a visual image familiar to Ukrainians. This year, signs with facts about Ukraine and the station, as well as symbolic objects such as a lump of black earth or a fragment of a vyshyvanka, were placed around the building.
Director of the National Antarctic Science Center Yevhen Dykyi noted that 14 people wintered at the station this year. At the same time, 14 polar explorers are fighting in the ranks of the Armed Forces, most of them are on the front lines. They were wounded, in particular in the battles for Bakhmut.
The deputy director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center Viacheslav Marchenko, who currently defends Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces, also took part in the meeting.
The head of state was told that Ukrainian polar explorers have their own chevron with the Latin inscription "Eagles do not catch flies."
Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the participants of the meeting for the warm and meaningful communication.
"Thank you for such an installation, for such initiatives that emphasize our identity. It is very important that we stick together, regardless of distance. Please inspire us all with the results of your research. I wish you nothing but success. And continue to move Ukrainian science forward ", the President noted.
