On Ukrainian Statehood Day and the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus–Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree presenting state awards and conferring honorary titles on representatives of culture, publishing, science, education, and sports.
The Order of Freedom was awarded to painter, graphic artist, and monumental artist Oleksandr Dubovyk, a prominent member of Ukraine's Sixtiers generation. He is the author of stained-glass windows and mosaics adorning buildings in Kyiv and Feodosia, as well as chapel murals in France. In 2024, he received the National Legend of Ukraine award.
The Order of Freedom was also awarded to historian Natalia Yakovenko, a professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. She is the author of more than 300 scholarly publications, a translator, co-author of a Latin language textbook, and a Merited Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine.
The Order of Merit, III class was awarded to:
Oleh Bonkovskyi, a master of artistic metalwork and professor at the Lviv National Academy of Arts. For more than 50 years, he has contributed to the artistic design of historic buildings in Lviv. He was shortlisted for the third round of the 2026 Shevchenko Prize for his art series The Way of the Cross of Ukraine.
Oleh Doroshchuk, an athlete and instructor on the Ukrainian national track and field team. An International Master of Sports of Ukraine in athletics, he was a finalist in the high jump at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and won both the World and European championships in 2026.
Oleksii Erinchak, founder of the Sens bookstore, which hosts book launches, literary discussions, book clubs, and other cultural events. From the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion, one of the bookstores served as a volunteer hub supporting both the military and civilians.
Vladyslav Kyrychenko (posthumously), founder of the Nash Format art agency. At his initiative, works by leading international authors were published in Ukrainian. He also founded the Ukrainian Science Club, supported Ukrainian researchers, funded cultural festivals, and backed numerous publishing and educational initiatives. Vladyslav Kyrychenko passed away on January 20, 2026.
Anton Martynov, founder of the Laboratory Publishing House. He launched the Librarius digital library, which has become one of Ukraine's largest e-book platforms, and introduced innovative approaches to the publishing industry. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, he has been serving in the Armed Forces while continuing to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the publishing house.
Servicemember, writer, and documentary filmmaker Illarion Pavliuk was awarded the Order of Danylo Halytskyi. He is the author of the novels White Ashes, The Dance of the Fool, and I See You're Interested in Darkness, which was shortlisted for the BBC Book of the Year Award 2020 and has remained one of the best-selling books by a Ukrainian author for several years, as well as a number of films.
The honorary title Merited Artist of Ukraine was conferred on Andriy Khlyvnyuk, Ukrainian musician, lead vocalist of the band BoomBox, and servicemember. Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, he joined Kyiv's Territorial Defense Forces. After being wounded in a mortar attack, he returned to military service.
The honorary title Merited Artist of Ukraine was conferred on Pavlo Savelyev, a faculty member at the Kharkiv National University of Arts named after I. P. Kotlyarevsky. In his teaching, he employs contemporary directing techniques, has narrated audiobooks for children, composed music for numerous theater productions in Ukraine and Lithuania, and actively organizes charity concerts and participates in volunteer initiatives.
The honorary title Merited Cultural Worker of Ukraine was conferred on Tetiana Karandieieva, Head of Department at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine. Through her extensive research, the museum's collection has been enriched with hundreds of unique artifacts, including examples of traditional weaving, decorative woodcraft, and ceramics. In 2025, at her initiative, a historic museum homestead from the southern Poltava region was restored and reopened to the public.