At the command post of the 2nd Air Assault Battalion of the 80th Halytska Separate Air Assault Brigade, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to warriors and received reports from commanders on the operational situation in the unit’s area of responsibility.
The Head of State thanked the defenders for their service, for protecting Ukraine and its people.
“I especially wanted to thank you on this day in particular – and to be here on the front line – for the Kursk operation. You and your brothers-in-arms truly accomplished a great deal. You captured many Russians, which allowed us to exchange them and bring Ukrainian fighters home to their families. Thank you for your protection, and for your very brave actions,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President presented the Order of the Golden Star to Hero of Ukraine Captain Mykola Stryhunov. Ahead of the Kursk operation, he gathered and analyzed information that enabled the effective planning of the assaults. The air assault company under his command cleared the Sudzha checkpoint and enemy positions along the border. The company advanced up to 10 kilometers into Russian territory and, together with other units of the 80th Brigade, took control of Sudzha and seven more settlements. Mykola Stryhunov personally eliminated around 20 Russian soldiers, evacuated four wounded warriors under heavy artillery fire, organized cover for frontline units, and cleared enemy positions. In May, as a group leader, he stopped advances by Russian assault groups near the village of Sadky in the Sumy region.
The Head of State also awarded two warriors with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class, and three others with the Orders “For Courage,” 2nd Class.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a candid and detailed conversation with Commander of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleh Apostol, brigade commander Mykhailo Kurakh, and battalion commander Ihor Medvediuk about the current challenges and ways to overcome them.
The military briefed the President on their experience with unmanned systems and countering Russian drone operators. They also discussed promising weaponry and providing brigades with resources for their own production of drones – explosives, fiber optic cable, and other essential components.
The commanders of the 80th Brigade raised their needs for anti-personnel mines, pickup trucks, and ATVs. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he had already given instructions at the Staff meeting to prepare a clear procedure allowing brigades to purchase pickup trucks directly – using the same approach already in place for drones.
