On September 7, 2026, on the Day of Military Intelligence of Ukraine, the Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces (TRO) Major General Ihor Plakhuta congratulated the reconnaissance warriors on their professional holiday and personally awarded the most distinguished military personnel. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a congratulatory message published by Plakhuta on Facebook, as well as an official photo from the event posted on the TRO Forces page.
“You see the enemy where others cannot”
In his address to his subordinates, the commander emphasized the special nature of a scout's work. “You see the enemy where others cannot. And you act where it is hardest,” Plakhuta noted. According to him, a significant part of the activities of reconnaissance units remains non-public; however, it is precisely thanks to this work that the Defense Forces obtain information about the enemy's plans, inflict losses on them, and prevent them from achieving their objectives. “Behind every successful operation is your professionalism, composure, and readiness to act where it is most difficult,” the general stressed.
Awards and Remembrance of the Fallen
As part of the congratulations, Plakhuta awarded a number of TRO reconnaissance warriors. In the published photo, the commander and a representative of the leadership congratulate the military personnel, dressed in camouflage uniforms and the TRO Forces' branded hoodies bearing the “U” logo; one of the awardees holds flowers and a document in his hands. The faces of most of the participants in the photo are blurred for security reasons. The commander also thanked the military personnel who work daily for the safety and independence of Ukraine and paid tribute to the memory of the scouts who died defending the state: “Their heroism will remain in our hearts forever.”
Context: Military Intelligence Day and the Memorial Sign
On September 7, Ukraine annually marks the Day of Military Intelligence. As media outlets remind us, on the eve of this holiday last year a landmark event took place in Kyiv — the unveiling of the “Reconnaissance” memorial sign, dedicated to the history and heroism of Ukrainian scouts. Thus, the current congratulations and awards in the Territorial Defense Forces fit into the tradition of publicly recognizing the contribution of the intelligence community to the country's defense capability.
