President awarded Ukrainian defenders and presented battle flags to military units

On the anniversary of invincibility, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards, conferred honorary titles upon military personnel and civilians, and handed over battle flags to military units of the Armed Forces and assault brigades of the Offensive Guard.

The ceremony took place on St. Sophia’s Square in Kyiv.

"Glory to the Heroes! We say these words every time we respond to our national slogan. When "Glory to Ukraine!" sounds, we remember those thanks to whom our country lives. This is how we echo the millennium of our history and the years of our war for independence. This is how we honor the generations of those who fought to make the blue and yellow flag of our people fly in free Kyiv and everywhere in free Ukraine," the President said.

He expressed gratitude to the warriors who are now fighting for our state in different parts of the country, bringing victory closer, helping Ukraine overcome challenges, and whose strength, courage and integrity will be a pillar of our country and people.

"I appeal to you, Ukrainian soldier! I appeal to you, savior of Ukrainians! I appeal to you, helper of the state! Today, after a year of the pivotal war for Ukraine's independence, here on St. Sophia’s Square, in this majestic place that saw Yaroslav, Bohdan and Mykhailo, and many others who fought for Ukraine, I want to say to everyone who fights for Ukraine and who lives for Ukraine I want to say: I am proud of you! We are all proud of you! And let this pride go through the streets and trenches. Let this pride go through the squares and cities. Let this pride go through hearts and countries. Let this pride say everywhere that Ukraine is alive," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

Those gathered on St. Sophia’s Square honored with a moment of silence the memory of each and every person who died for the Ukrainian state.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainian warriors, rescuers, volunteers and all defenders who are steadfastly defending the positions of our country and bringing the day of victory closer: "It depends on you whether we will all survive or whether Ukraine will survive. It depends on you every day! Every hour! It depends on you, Ukrainian warrior! You are our most important person who stands and thanks to whom millions of Ukrainians stand. Who will endure and thanks to whom Ukraine will endure! Thanks to you, "Glory to Ukraine!" will be heard forever. I am grateful to all those who endured that February, this year, and who give Ukraine invincibility."

The Head of State expressed gratitude and respect to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, border guards and all defense and security forces.

For personal courage and heroism displayed in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the President presented the Order of the Golden Star to the servicemen upon whom the title of Hero of Ukraine was conferred: Lieutenant Colonel Yevhen Bova, Junior Sergeant Vitaliy Onoprienko, Lieutenant Colonel Artem Sharkov, Lieutenant Lev Pashko, Major Vasyl Kozak, Staff Sergeant Dmytro Kushnir, Police Colonel Oleh Lakusta and Senior Sergeant of the Civil Defense Service Andriy Koshovets.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also handed over the Orders of the Golden Star to family members of the warriors upon whom the title of Hero of Ukraine was conferred posthumously. The highest state awards were presented to the families of Senior Lieutenant Artem Slisarchuk, Senior Soldier Serhiy Sova, Senior Lieutenant Pavlo Usov, Senior Lieutenant Mykhailo Chuprin, Major Oleksandr Krykunenko, Colonel Yuriy Yurchyk, Police Colonel Mykhailo Kuratchenko and Junior Sergeant of the Civil Defense Service Ilya Akhmetgareyev.

Civilian citizens of Ukraine, including volunteers, doctors, power engineers, and teachers, were awarded state awards and honorary titles.

In addition, the President presented battle flags to the 3rd separate assault brigade of the AFU Ground Forces, the 5th separate assault brigade of the AFU Ground Forces, the 15th mobile border guard detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Special Police Department "Joint Assault Brigade of the National Police of Ukraine "Lyut".

The ceremony was also attended by: Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov, and representatives of the diplomatic corps.