British Embassy Kyiv marked Armed Forces Day
The British Embassy in Ukraine hosted a reception in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent and the visiting Air Squadron led by Tim Clark to mark the UK Armed Forces Day.
Celebrating Armed Forces Day
The event was attended by high-ranking representatives from the Ukrainian government and Armed Forces, including Defence Minister Pavlo Lebedyev and First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Admiral Ihor Kabanenko, by defence attaches from the diplomatic missions to Ukraine, and by representatives of business, civil society and the media.
Welcoming the guests, the British Ambassador Simon Smith said:
“The UK Armed Forces are present all over the world, making an enormous contribution to international security and sustaining peace, fighting terrorism, drug smuggling and maritime piracy. We are deeply grateful to the men and women in our Armed Forces for their dedicated service to our country, and for what they do to promote a better and safer world.
“We are delighted to welcome the members of the Air Squadron and HRH Prince Michael of Kent who have flown in to Ukraine in their wonderful aircraft as a visible symbol of the good will that exists in the relationship between Britain and Ukraine.”
Tim Clark, the Chairman of the Air Squadron, said:
“We are a small club of aviation enthusiasts, set up in 1966. Since then we have grown to have more than 100 members. One of our main objectives is to promote friendship between aviators in the countries that we are privileged to visit.
“We have been greatly honoured to be invited by our Ukrainian colleagues to visit their country. And I would like to thank all of those in Ukraine who have contributed to the organisation of our visit. I particularly want to pay tribute to the Armed Forces of Ukraine who have made a spectacular effort to pave the way for us to come here.”
Further information
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The members of the Air Squadron, a private club of aviation enthusiasts, whose honorary member HRH Prince Michael of Kent is, are visiting Ukraine at the official invitation of the Ukrainian government. Visit Air Squadron’s official website for more details
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Read the Air Squadron’s official press-release here
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The Air Squadron have brought 25 historic aircrafts which will be displayed on 1-4 July in Kyiv at the State Museum of Aviation (1, Medova St.); on 5 July in Belbek (Sevastopol); and on 9 July in Vinnytsya
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Find out more about HRH Prince Michael of Kent on his official web-page