On the occasion of Ukrainian Navy Day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Navy warriors and presented them with state awards.
The Head of State thanked the sailors for the battles they have won, which enable Ukraine to resist Russian occupiers and protect lives.
“Ukraine has reclaimed its right to the Black Sea – and has pushed the Russian fleet back to remote bays in the east. Ukraine has regained control over Zmiinyi Island – and with it, control over maritime navigation. Every day, our Navy warriors, together with our intelligence services, the Security Service of Ukraine, and other components of our defense, are doing everything possible to keep Ukrainian ports and sea routes operational,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President also thanked the sailors for defending the Odesa region and the entire coastline in the south of Ukraine from the threat of Russian amphibious assault, especially during the first year of the full-scale war.
“That defense of ours was truly a historic result of the Ukrainian people – the result of all of you and your brothers-in-arms,” the Head of State stressed.
He gave special recognition to the Marines who are holding the line in the most intense areas of the front.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Order of the Golden Star to Hero of Ukraine, Petty Officer First Class Denys Chumak. Under his command, the crew of a landing craft carried out dozens of combat missions across the Dnipro River, providing transport, fire support, and evacuation for Marine units. In June of last year, the craft came under attack from Russian drones and was damaged. Despite being wounded, Denys Chumak led his crew in delivering ammunition and supplies to the left bank of the Dnipro and deploying a landing unit. After recovery, he repeatedly came under fire, was wounded several more times, but continued to carry out missions and rescue his brothers-in-arms.
The President called for honoring the memory of fallen heroes. All sailors and Marines who gave their lives for Ukraine and its independence were honored with a moment of silence.
The Head of State presented the Cross of Military Merit to the mother of fallen sailor Artem Medvediev. Despite extremely difficult conditions, he completed 35 missions across the Dnipro River, providing surface and air defense during crossings. His craft came under enemy fire twice, but he continued delivering troops and ammunition to the left bank and evacuating the wounded. On February 2 of last year, following a Russian mortar and drone attack, the boat’s engine was damaged. The crew tried to reach shore on their own, but Artem Medvediev died of hypothermia.
The President also awarded the Cross of Military Merit to Major Ihor Rak. Near the village of Krynky in the Kherson region, his tank crew destroyed two enemy mortar units and struck an enemy stronghold in autumn 2023, eliminating three occupiers. In December 2023, he neutralized six enemy assault soldiers. In the spring of last year, he struck a Russian command and observation post on the left bank of the Dnipro. In May of last year, he hit an enemy shelter, killing 12 occupiers and destroying an infantry fighting vehicle.
In addition, the President awarded three warriors with the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class, thirteen with the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class, and one with the Medal “To the Defender of the Motherland.”
