President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated warriors on the Day of the Army Aviation of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, presented them with state awards, and conferred a military rank.
“Now, at a difficult time of full-scale war, our army aviation has thousands upon thousands of extremely important combat missions to its credit. Every night, it shoots down “shaheds” and other Russian drones, and this is literally a constant, daily saving of lives in our cities and villages. Army aviation also carries out consistently professional, often heroic operations in support of our army on the frontline: fire strikes against the enemy, evacuation of the wounded, logistics. At extremely low altitudes, in constant danger,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked all warriors of army aviation for the unique missions in Mariupol and at Azovstal at the beginning of the full-scale war, their contribution to the defense of Kyiv and Kharkiv, the defense of the south of Ukraine, and their effective role in the historic operation to liberate Zmiinyi Island. The President noted that army aviation units were actively involved in operations to defend Ukraine after 2014, and that before the war, Ukrainian army helicopter units carried out peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in other countries and as part of UN missions.
“I am confident that after this war, Ukrainian army aviation will likewise be one of the guarantors of security for our friends and partners, using the experience gained now, in this war, to help ensure that peace prevails,” the Head of State said.
The President called for remembering the fallen who gave their lives for Ukraine. The memory of the fallen warriors was honored with a moment of silence.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented 15 servicemembers with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, I-II classes, the Orders “For Courage,” I-III classes, and medals “For Military Service to Ukraine.” Among those awarded were father and son Pavlo and Anton Mudryi. Helicopter commander Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Mudryi received the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, II class. During the full-scale war, he has carried out 312 combat sorties on Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters to conduct fire strikes against the enemy, medically evacuate the wounded, and ensure command, control, and communications for the troops. His son, Senior Soldier Anton Mudryi, received the Order “For Courage,” III class. He has carried out 195 combat sorties as an air gunner. In July-November 2025 alone, he personally destroyed more than 200 enemy drones, including “shaheds.”
The President presented the shoulder boards of brigadier general to Pavlo Bardakov, Commander of Army Aviation of the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
