On the occasion of Ukraine’s National Police Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with police officers and presented them with state awards.
He noted that this is already the tenth time that a day specifically dedicated to the Ukrainian Police has been celebrated in July.
“Police officers are always among the first to arrive at the scene together with rescue workers after Russian strikes, providing assistance to our people. Police officers are a pillar of protection and security in rear cities and villages. The National Police of Ukraine carries out numerous tasks to fight crime, apply preventive measures, and ensure cyber defense,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
Ukrainian police officers, alongside other branches of the Defense Forces, are defending the country in battles against Russian occupiers. The President thanked the “Liut” Brigade, the KORD and “Khyzhak” units, and all formations engaged in frontline operations for their effective service.
The Head of State particularly commended the police officers from the “White Angels” unit, who have helped evacuate over 20,000 civilians from combat zones and rescued more than 5,000 children from under fire.
The Head of State called on everyone to remember those who have given their lives in defense of Ukraine and Ukrainians. The audience honored the memory of all fallen heroes with a minute of silence.
The President presented the Order of the Golden Star to the mother of the late Hero of Ukraine, Police Lieutenant Daniil Safonov. From the early days of the full-scale war, he had been in Mariupol. Alongside his fellow officers, he evacuated more than 4,000 people from the city, including around 1,000 children. He provided assistance to the injured, cleared rubble from the Drama Theatre destroyed by the occupiers, took part in the battles for Azovstal, and helped build defensive fortifications. Daniil Safonov was killed on May 2, 2022, during a massive shelling of the plant.
Three more Heroes of Ukraine received their awards personally from Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The highest state award was presented to:
Platoon Inspector Mykhailo Kravchuk. Last year in November and December, he single-handedly captured four occupiers, evacuated two wounded brothers-in-arms, and successfully carried out five reconnaissance missions. Despite being wounded twice, he continued to carry out combat operations. For 36 days, Mykhailo Kravchuk held one of the key positions, thwarting at least ten enemy assaults and eliminating four occupiers.
Police Sergeant Dmytro Krichko. He took part in assault operations near Kurdiumivka, evacuated the body of a fallen brother-in-arms, and led an assault group through minefields. During one mortar attack, he was wounded but returned to the front after treatment. In May this year, as part of an assault group, he repeatedly engaged in combat, holding back the enemy, and personally eliminated two occupiers.
Police Major Oleh Sakerin. He entered the “grey zone” in Toretsk 23 times, planting 175 mines. He neutralized over 350 explosive devices and ordnances. On the approach to the city, he set up 143 mine barriers, which destroyed two Russian armored fighting vehicles with landing troops. On April 29 this year, Oleh Sakerin was wounded in his arm and eyes due to a strike by a Russian drone.
The Head of State awarded another 18 police officers with the Orders "For Courage," III class, and two with the Orders of Danylo Halytskyi.
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the distinction ribbon “For Courage and Bravery” to the National Police Combined Assault Brigade “Liut,” established in January 2023. The brigade took part in numerous combat operations and the liberation of settlements. In particular, it was deployed in the Bakhmut, Vovchansk, Pokrovsk, and Toretsk directions. Over the year of defending Toretsk, the “Liut” warriors, together with adjacent units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, eliminated more than 20,000 occupiers. To date, 432 police officers from the brigade have been recognized with Ukraine's state awards, 122 of them were honored posthumously.
