Happy Miner's Day!

Today, Ukraine celebrates a professional holiday – the Miner's Day, the day of those who represent one of the most difficult, dangerous and, at the same time, one of the most respected professions. Thanks to miners' labour, steel-making works and thermal power plants keep operating, the country's economy is getting stronger and the comfort of citizens is ensured. I want to convey my most cordial congratulations to miners of Chervonograd and Novovolynsk, Vatutino and Pavlograd, as well as the entire Donbass – a huge coal region divided today by the war and dirty political games.

Today, we also celebrate the 150^th anniversary since the founding of Donetsk city, the heart of the Ukrainian Donbass.

Dear Donetsk residents!

This is a double holiday for you, as the history of Donetsk's development is inextricably linked with coal mining. Today, we are separated by the front line, checkpoints, human tragedies, crimes of politicians, and interests of external forces. Yet, we have a lot that unites us: our common history, family ties and friendship, Orthodox values and traditions. I believe that the war will end soon, and we will take joint efforts to heal the wounds, to learn to trust and believe each other again.

I sincerely and wholeheartedly congratulate you on the birthday of Donetsk city and on the Miner's Day! I wish you peace (and you know the price of this word well), prosperity and God's grace! Happiness and love to all Donetsk residents!

God save you!