On the Infantry Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with warriors and the families of fallen defenders and presented the highest state awards. He also handed over battle flags, ribbons of the honorary distinction “For Courage and Bravery,” and ribbons bearing honorary brigade names to unit commanders, and conferred higher officer ranks.
The Head of State noted that in this war for independence, millions of people have proven themselves, their courage, and dedication to Ukraine and the Ukrainian idea.
According to the President, Ukraine’s independence has been confirmed by the achievements of the Ukrainian army in battles across different frontlines: from Hostomel to the Donetsk region, from the Sumy and Kharkiv regions to the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, along with the Kursk region.
“Ukraine stands as long as the Ukrainian infantry stands – fights, destroys the occupier, defends and reclaims our Ukrainian positions, carries out brilliant operations that have already become exemplary chapters of global military history – your history, the history of the brave,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President emphasized that Ukraine will always honor its heroes and called on everyone never to forget the fallen. Those present observed a moment of silence in memory of the warriors who gave their lives for Ukraine.
The Head of State presented the Orders of the Golden Star to the families of fallen Heroes of Ukraine. The highest state award was posthumously bestowed upon:
Senior Sergeant Yaroslav Khybovskyi. He defended Ukraine in the Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Donetsk regions. Thanks to his actions, dozens of pieces of Russian equipment and more than a hundred occupiers were destroyed. He evacuated eight severely wounded brothers-in-arms, led assault operations, and repelled enemy attacks. On December 5, 2022, he evacuated a wounded warrior, but after returning to his combat mission, he was fatally wounded himself.
Chief Sergeant Vasyl Yaremko. As a commander of combined groups, he took part in defense and assault operations in the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. He eliminated more than ten occupiers, captured two others, and seized several armored vehicles. Under heavy enemy fire, he evacuated three wounded brothers-in-arms. Vasyl Yaremko was killed on January 24 last year while leading an assault and personally eliminating at least six invaders.
Junior Sergeant Ivan Holubka. As a deputy commander of a fighting vehicle and gunner operator, he carried out missions in the Donetsk region. His actions resulted in the destruction of several armored vehicles and about 50 occupiers. He was wounded, but after recovery continued to defend Ukraine. On June 5, 2023, during an assault on enemy positions, an IFV with Ivan Holubka in the crew exploded on a mine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also presented the Golden Stars of Hero of Ukraine to Junior Lieutenant Vladyslav Datskyi and Junior Sergeant Mykola Molchanov.
Vladyslav Datskyi took part in the defense of Avdiivka, where in February last year, an assault group under his command killed and wounded nearly 200 occupiers. Although wounded himself, he provided assistance to his subordinate and personally evacuated him. In September in the Luhansk region, he led a successful ambush raid, and in December in the Kharkiv region, he carried out a sabotage operation, capturing six prisoners, which provided valuable intelligence.
Mykola Molchanov took part in an assault on enemy positions near Robotyne in December 2023. He was wounded but prevented the enemy from reaching the withdrawal routes of the assault group. After treatment, he continued to defend Ukraine near Novohrodivka, taking part in assaults and holding positions. He personally destroyed 15 IFVs, a T-72 tank, two reconnaissance quadcopters, and 110 occupiers.
The Head of State awarded the Crosses of Military Merit to four defenders. The recipients were:
Private Mykhailo Lastivka. He is defending Ukraine in the Donetsk region, where in February–March this year, he was engaged in the defense of Pivnichne. In particular, he disrupted enemy assaults on Ukrainian positions, shot down an FPV drone with small arms, saving the lives of fellow warriors, organized aid and evacuation of the wounded, and inflicted losses on the enemy.
Major Yuriy Luniov. He has taken part in all combat missions of the 2nd Rifle Battalion of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade: from the Kherson direction to Vovchansk. His unit repelled numerous enemy assaults, eliminated more than 200 enemy infantrymen, captured five more, and destroyed 15 armored vehicles.
Junior Sergeant Serhiy Prin, combat medic. He was ambushed near Novomykhailivka, where he engaged in combat and killed two occupiers. He delayed enemy advancement, detected sabotage and reconnaissance groups, repelled assaults, and held positions. Wounded three times, he provided first aid to himself, rescued and evacuated a wounded brother-in-arms. He also personally cleared a 2-kilometer strip of forest, eliminating seven invaders.
Junior Sergeant Pavlo Shumitskyi. In the Kharkiv region, as part of a mobile group, he repelled two enemy assaults. Covering the group’s withdrawal, he remained alone at his position and captured three occupiers during the battle. Under fire, he pulled out a wounded brother-in-arms, gave him first aid, and organized evacuation.
The President also awarded defenders with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, I–III Class, and the Orders “For Courage,” II and III Class.
The Head of State presented battle flags to the commanders of the following units: the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 41st Separate Mechanized Brigade, 44th Separate Mechanized Brigade, 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the 10th Army Corps, and the 354th Training Mechanized Regiment of the 169th Training Center named after Prince Yaroslav the Wise; he also presented honorary distinctions “For Courage and Bravery” to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and the Separate Presidential Brigade named after Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also presented brigade commanders with ribbons bearing honorary brigade names: the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade received the name “Mykolaivska,” the 32nd Separate Mechanized Brigade – “Staleva,” the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade – “Velykyi Luh,” and the 128th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade – “Dyke Pole.”
In addition, the President conferred the military rank of Brigadier General upon the Commander of the 19th Army Corps, Colonel Oleksandr Bakulin; the Head of the 169th Training Center named after Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Colonel Oleksii Maistrenko; and the Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Viktor Solimchuk.
