On the eve of National Flag Day and Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska honored outstanding individuals with the "National Legend of Ukraine" award.
The President emphasized that despite Russia's aggression, the values that form the foundation of this award remain unchanged.
"This is respect. This is honor. This is dignity. It is how the state of Ukraine says thank you to its people, its heroes, its legends. Those among us and those we must appreciate. Those who, unfortunately, are no longer with us. We must remember them all – legends who inspire us, legends applauded by the world. And I would like us all to applaud our Ukrainian legends now," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
This year, the President honored 11 individuals with the "National Legend of Ukraine" award. They are:
Ihor Poklad, an outstanding composer, People's Artist, and Hero of Ukraine. He is the author of over 150 songs, musical performances, and works for more than 40 Ukrainian films and animated movies.
Oleh Korosteliov, General Designer and Director General of the Luch Design Bureau, Hero of Ukraine, and recipient of the Order of Merit. He played a direct role in the development of the Stuhna, Vilkha, and Neptune missile systems.
Olga Kharlan, Ukraine's most decorated athlete: two-time Olympic champion in saber fencing, six-time world champion, and eight-time European champion.
Vitaliy Khmel, a thoracic surgeon who, since the beginning of Russian aggression, has performed over 100 complex surgeries on wounded soldiers and saved more than 50 defenders during evacuation missions.
Ivan Lukashevych, Brigadier General of Military Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine, call sign "Hunter." He is the mastermind behind the Sea Baby naval drones and the designer of the sniper rifle "Horizon's Lord," which set a world record with a precise shot at an occupier from a distance of 3,800 meters.
Iryna Yurchenko, a conductor at Ukrzaliznytsia. On February 25, 2022, she began her shift and worked on evacuation trains for weeks. Meanwhile, her son, Dmytro Kozatsky, call sign "Orest," was defending Azovstal in Mariupol.
Oleksandr Dubovyk, a Ukrainian painter, graphic artist, and monumental artist, an honorary member of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine. He represents the "unofficial" art of Soviet times, and his works are held in the National Art Museum of Ukraine, museums in the USA and Germany, and private collections.
Howard Buffett, an American businessman, philanthropist, and Ukraine's largest private donor. His foundation has spent over $500 million to help Ukrainians, including providing food for those affected, restoring buildings, supporting farmers, training deminers, and providing prosthetics for veterans.
Oleksandr Usyk, a Ukrainian boxer, Olympic champion, and undisputed world heavyweight champion. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, his foundation has helped affected families. He has held seven charity auctions, donating approximately $740,000 to support the Ukrainian army.
Posthumous awards were presented to Serhiy Parajanov and Nina Matviienko.
Serhiy Parajanov was a Ukrainian-Armenian film director and screenwriter who created nearly 20 feature and documentary films. His film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors won 39 international awards and 28 prizes at world film festivals.
Nina Matviienko was a People's Artist of Ukraine and Hero of Ukraine. Her repertoire included numerous folk songs. She also engaged in literary work, acted in television and radio plays, and toured the USA, Canada, France, Poland, South Korea, Mexico, and Latin American countries.
The "National Legend of Ukraine" award was established in 2021. Since then, the President has annually honored individuals who have contributed to the establishment of Ukraine's independence, the defense of the state, and the development of the national economy, science, education, culture, art, sports, healthcare, and charitable and public activities.
The full televised version of the award ceremony will be broadcast on the national telethon "United News" on August 25.
