December 18: Day of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU and the Memory of Saint Sebastian.

According to ТСН: December 18, 2025 — Thursday. Today marks the 1393rd day of the war in Ukraine.

Tomorrow is a Holiday

On December 18, the church calendar commemorates The Day of Memory of Saint Martyr Sebastian and his Wife. Saint Sebastian lived at the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 4th century during the reign of emperors Diocletian and Maximian. He came from a noble family and held the position of commander in Rome. Although he formally remained loyal to the emperor, in reality, he practiced Christianity.

He used his high position to support imprisoned Christians: he visited them in dungeons, encouraged them, healed them with prayer, strengthening them in their faith before execution. Many people accepted Christianity thanks to him.

When the emperor learned of his faith, he ordered Sebastian to be executed. He was bound to a tree and shot with arrows. The soldiers, believing him to be dead, left the body. However, by a miracle, he survived; he was cared for by a pious woman named Irene. Instead of fleeing, he again openly exposed the emperor for the cruel persecutions. After that, Sebastian was beaten to death with clubs, and the body was thrown into a sewer.

In Ukraine, December 18 celebrates The Day of Military Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Military counterintelligence in our country has deep historical roots that cover the period of liberation struggles of the 20th century when Ukrainian special services countered espionage and subversive activities against Ukrainian military structures. Modern military counterintelligence of the SBU was formed in independent Ukraine as an important element of the national security system.

With the onset of armed aggression against Ukraine, the role of military counterintelligence of the SBU has become extremely significant. Counterintelligence officers work on the front lines and in frontline regions, often risking their lives. Thanks to their efforts, plans of the enemy can be thwarted, agent networks exposed, and the combat readiness of the Ukrainian military preserved.

December 18 is also marked as International Arabic Language Day. On December 18, 1973, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to give Arabic the status of one of the official languages of the United Nations. This date has become a symbol for the international recognition of Arabic linguistic and cultural heritage. Arabic is the native language for over 400 million people in more than 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It holds special spiritual significance, as it is the language of the Quran and plays a key role in the religious, philosophical, and legal thought of the Islamic world.

December 18 is also celebrated as International Migrants Day. This day was proclaimed by the UN to raise global awareness of the rights, dignity, and contributions of migrants to society. The date was chosen purposefully: on December 18, 1990, the UN adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. In 2000, this day was officially proclaimed International Migrants Day. Migrants are considered people who, for various reasons, leave their country on a temporary or permanent basis.

Thus, December 18 holds special significance for Ukraine and the world. On this day, we recall important aspects of historical and cultural heritage, as well as draw attention to significant social issues such as the rights of migrants. In this difficult hour for Ukraine, as the war continues, it is important to honor the heroism of those who defend our country, particularly the workers of military counterintelligence.