Yesterday, on the eve of the Day of the National Guard of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the warriors of the National Guard of Ukraine, congratulated them on the 12th anniversary of the National Guard’s formation, presented state awards, and handed unit commanders honorary distinction ribbons “For Courage and Bravery,” and ribbons bearing honorary names.
The Head of State thanked the warriors for their excellent service, resilience, and strength, which have made the National Guard one of the key pillars of Ukraine’s defense and active operations along the entire front line.
“From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the National Guard of Ukraine, together with Ukraine’s Armed Forces, has heroically defended our country, held positions, and inspired other branches of Ukraine’s Defense Forces with their strength. In Hostomel, Mariupol, in the Kharkiv region, in southern Ukraine, in the battles for our Sumy and Donetsk regions, for Kupyansk, Dobropillia, and our Pokrovsk, the warriors of the National Guard have demonstrated their truly strong Ukrainian character,” said the President.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the names of National Guard units speak for themselves. As anyone who hears of “Azov” or “Khartiia” knows: these are units that carry out their combat missions with honor. The 1st Corps of the National Guard, together with other Defense Forces, is holding the Pokrovsk–Ocheretyne direction. The 2nd Corps of the National Guard is carrying out its missions in the Kharkiv region.
“The 3rd Brigade of the National Guard, the 18th Sloviansk Brigade, as well as units of the unmanned component – ‘Lasar’s Group,’ ‘Wings of Omega,’ and ‘Typhoon’ – and the fighters of the Omega Special Purpose Center: each name in the National Guard speaks of strength,” noted the Head of State.
The President also stressed that the National Guard carries out missions not only at the front but also in protecting critical infrastructure across Ukraine, participates in air defense, maintains law and order, and assists people after Russian strikes.
“We also certainly remember all our National Guard servicemembers still in Russian captivity, and we are working to bring them home. It is not easy, but we are doing it, and we will definitely succeed in bringing everyone back,” emphasized Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Head of State called on everyone to honor all those who gave their lives for Ukraine. Those present observed a moment of silence in memory of the fallen.
The President presented the families of fallen Heroes of Ukraine with the Orders of the Golden Star. The highest title was awarded posthumously to:
Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Liapchenko. In 2024, he defended Ukraine in the Serebryanskyy Forest area. In February, he eliminated a machine-gun unit with a hand grenade, destroyed two Tigr armored vehicles and about 20 occupiers. In May, he shot down an enemy drone with a machine gun and eliminated a group of more than ten invaders. During an assault in the Kharkiv region on August 26, 2024, he eliminated five occupiers and an infantry fighting vehicle but was killed as a result of artillery fire.
Junior Sergeant Viacheslav Shymchuk. In 2023, he carried out missions in the Serebryanskyy Forest area. While repelling an enemy advance, he destroyed about ten occupiers with grenades. During a counterattack, he damaged an enemy APC, flanked, and eliminated eight enemy infantry personnel. In spring 2024, he held the enemy back in the Kharkiv region, including near the village of Lyptsi. On July 26, 2024, together with other National Guard members, he fell into an ambush by a sabotage group during reconnaissance. Viacheslav Shymchuk was killed holding back the enemy and covering his brothers-in-arms.
The Head of State also presented the Orders of the Golden Star to Heroes of Ukraine Senior Soldier Oleksandra Davydenko and Colonel Oleksii Khilchenko.
Oleksandra Davydenko carries out combat missions in the Donetsk region and has repeatedly engaged in battles with occupiers attempting to breach Ukrainian positions. In January, on the Pokrovsk direction, she personally eliminated four enemy infantrymen and wounded two more while repelling a Russian offensive. The enemy withdrew but carried out artillery and mortar shelling of Ukrainian positions. Despite being injured, Oleksandra Davydenko evacuated a wounded brother-in-arms from the battlefield.
Commander of the 3rd Operational Assignment Brigade of the National Guard named after Colonel Petro Bolbochan, Spartan, Oleksii Khilchenko, with his unit, holds back the enemy in the Pokrovsk direction. He is constantly on the front lines. In February–March, leading his units in battle, he carried out a successful operation that resulted in over 30 occupiers being eliminated. He provided aid to the wounded and organized their evacuation. During the years of the full-scale invasion, he has carried out missions in the most challenging sectors.
Three more National Guard servicemembers were awarded the “Cross of Military Merit.” Recipients include:
Junior Lieutenant Oleksandr Trehub. Last April, he personally eliminated 12 occupiers and evacuated four wounded brothers-in-arms. During combat, he suffered serious injuries but continued to hold back the enemy and eliminated two more occupiers. After enemy fire ceased, Oleksandr Trehub was evacuated to a medical facility and saved. He continued serving, defending Ukraine.
Master Sergeant Volodymyr Fedorov. He was wounded multiple times but continued to carry out missions. He helped evacuate injured brothers-in-arms. While being wounded himself, he and other National Guard members held a position for three days, preventing the enemy from breaking through.
Senior Lieutenant Yurii Chubrei. He participated in battles in the Donetsk region. Last year, he eliminated about 20 occupiers and damaged four enemy motorcycles and several other vehicles. The unit under his command repelled 11 assaults over five months.
Additionally, the Head of State awarded defenders with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, I and III class, and the Orders “For Courage,” I–III class.
The distinction “For Courage and Bravery” was handed to the commander of the 15th Separate Battalion of the National Guard. The President also presented unit commanders with ribbons bearing honorary names: the 26th National Guard Regiment received the honorary name “Zakarpattian,” the 28th NGU Regiment – “Chornobyl,” the 38th NGU Regiment – “Polissian,” and the 32nd NGU Separate Battalion – “Volynian.”
Over 17,000 National Guard members were recognized with state awards for service to Ukraine, and another 114 National Guard warriors received the highest state award – the title of Hero of Ukraine.
