During a Full-Scale War, the Police Have Become Much More than a Law Enforcement Institution – They Are Those Who Support People – The President on the Occasion of the National Police Day
> Александр Кондратенко: 4 липня 2026 року - 11:15
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During a Full-Scale War, the Police Have Become Much More than a Law Enforcement Institution – They Are Those Who Support People – The President on the Occasion of the National Police Day
On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the launch of the National Police of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with police officers and presented them with state awards.
“We have come a long way during this time. A great deal has been accomplished. And today – although there is still room to strengthen the work of Ukraine’s National Police – we can be grateful, very grateful, and certainly be proud of such professionals who serve within the National Police system, who protect our people, uphold the rule of law in Ukraine, and defend Ukraine itself, alongside all the other branches of our Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
The Head of State thanked thousands of police officers who bravely and selflessly carry out combat missions at the front as part of the “Liut” and “Khyzhak” brigades, KORD, and police rifle units.
The President called for remembering every person who gave their life in the fight for Ukraine’s freedom and independence. Those present honored the memory of the fallen with a moment of silence.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also highlighted the work of police officers serving in frontline communities under constant shelling, assisting with evacuations, demining areas, documenting and investigating war crimes committed by the enemy, and searching for missing persons.
“Since the National Police was established and to this day, we have daily recognized your achievements in the fight against organized crime, the dismantling of fraud networks and various forms of cybercrime, the protection of children, and keeping Ukrainian communities safe,” the Head of State added.
The President presented the Orders of the Golden Star to the families of fallen Heroes. The highest title was awarded posthumously to:
Senior Lieutenant of Police Roman Zelenskyy. He took part in the defense of the Sumy region. During aerial reconnaissance, he identified three enemy sabotage groups and, together with his brothers-in-arms, destroyed them with drones. He spotted a group of six occupiers, advanced towards them, and together with his subordinates captured them. On August 21, as the commander of a combined unit, he gave the order to clear a building and was the first to move forward. When Russian occupiers inside opened fire, he signaled danger to his subordinates and returned fire. He managed to wound three attackers but was himself injured. Roman Zelenskyy died in a hospital the following day.
Major of Police Oleksandr Kuralekh. At a position in the Donetsk region, during a strike by an enemy FPV drone, he shielded a brother-in-arms with his body. This saved his life and prevented the detonation of ammunition that could have led to the death of the entire unit. Despite his severe injuries, Oleksandr Kuralekh continued to command the battle and issued orders to complete the relocation of ammunition and ensure an organized withdrawal of his brothers-in-arms. After the mission was completed, an evacuation team transported him from the battlefield and handed him over to doctors. Despite medical efforts, Oleksandr Kuralekh died in a surgical hospital on January 14, 2026.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Order of the Golden Star to the Hero of Ukraine, Senior Police Sergeant Yurii Illiashenko. Since December 2025, a group of KORD special unit police officers under Yurii Illiashenko’s command held a firing position in close proximity to occupying forces for 276 days under continuous artillery, mortar, and drone strikes. During this time, Senior Police Sergeant and his unit carried out a series of successful operations and twice broke out of enemy encirclement, each time preserving the lives of all personnel.
In addition, the President awarded defenders with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class, “For Courage,” II and III class, and the Order of Danylo Halytskyi. > Александр Кондратенко: The Head of State also conferred ranks of Police Generals of the Second and Third Ranks.