President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Orders of the Golden Star to the defenders awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and to the family members of fallen warriors who received this title posthumously; he also presented the Crosses of Military Merit.
“Each name spoken today is a story of feats – both of an individual and of all our Defense and Security Forces. There would be no Ukraine without such people, without such heroism. Our blue and yellow flag remains on Ukrainian soil thanks to every one of our warriors who holds the line, fights for themselves, their brothers-in-arms, their families, and for all of Ukraine – achieving the result we so desperately need on the battlefield," the Head of State emphasized.
The President also thanked the families of Ukrainian defenders for their strength and resilience.
“We will undoubtedly endure this war. We will certainly ensure a dignified life for Ukraine. And we will definitely hold Russia accountable for everything it has done,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The participants honored the memory of all the defenders who gave their lives for Ukraine with a minute of silence.
The Head of State handed over the Orders of the Golden Star to the family members of the fallen Heroes of Ukraine. This title was posthumously awarded to:
Junior Sergeant Yurii Haponenko. In 2022, he took part in the liberation of settlements in the Kyiv and Kherson regions, and later in the defense of Bakhmut, Kurdyumivka, and Soledar in the Donetsk region. Thanks to his reconnaissance efforts, three enemy T-72 tanks, two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, three BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, and more than 50 occupiers were destroyed. In February 2023, he was severely wounded in a mortar attack and died in hospital.
Junior Sergeant Yulian Matviychuk. From September 2022, he carried out missions to protect the state border in the Kharkiv, Sumy and Donetsk regions. His effective command of the UAV crew thwarted plans to assault Ukrainian positions. In May 2023, near Marinka, he sustained a serious injury during enemy shelling and died in hospital a few days later.
Lieutenant Colonel Yurii Tymus. In February and March 2022, the senior navigator-pilot carried out 28 combat sorties, destroying or damaging three tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, seven armored personnel carriers, and eliminating up to one hundred invaders. He delivered ammunition and medical supplies and evacuated the seriously wounded from Azovstal. He also helped destroy an enemy camp that was preparing for an assault. Despite the difficult conditions, he organized the group's safe landing and takeoff. However, his helicopter was hit by a missile amid intense enemy fire, resulting in the death of the entire crew.
Junior Sergeant Denys Dorofieiev. In March 2022, an anti-tank minefield installed by his engineer-sapper group in Zaporizhzhia prevented the occupiers from breaking through. Since July 2023, he has been carrying out combat missions in the Donetsk region without loss of personnel or equipment. In January of last year, he was installing an anti-tank mine near Kostyantynivka, which detonated after being hit by an FPV drone. Denys Dorofieiev died from life-threatening injuries.
Senior soldier Ruslan Piskovyi. He volunteered for the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the first hours of the full-scale Russian invasion. In May 2022, he fought in the Kharkiv region as part of the Territorial Defense Forces, and at the end of the year, he took part in the battles in Bilohorivka, Luhansk region. In April 2023, in the Donetsk region, he masterfully organized the defense of positions during a night battle but died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Soldier Andrii Cheverda. In May 2023, as a machine-gunner of a rifle squad, he took part in repelling an assault on Ukrainian positions in the Luhansk region. The defenders of Ukraine fought against the enemy's superior forces, which numbered 80 people. Our warriors did not allow the occupiers to advance deeper into the positions, but Andrii Cheverda was killed in that battle.
Senior Lieutenant Andrii Fedosov. He carried out combat missions involving reconnaissance, repelling attacks, and detaining enemy fire spotters. On June 30, 2022, in Pryvillya, Luhansk region, Ukrainian warriors came under ambush fire when they were trying to push the Russian occupiers out of the city. Andrii Fedosov assisted four wounded brothers-in-arms and evacuated them but sustained terminal injuries himself.
Senior Lieutenant Ruslan Danko. On the outskirts of Malynivka, in the Zaporizhzhia region, he evacuated the bodies of fallen defenders from the “gray” zone and, together with the advanced group of the Special Operations Forces, inflicted fire. While covering the advanced assault group, he suppressed a Russian machine gun crew and cut off the infantry. However, as a result of the FPV kamikaze drone attack, he sustained fatal injuries.
Soldier Artur Stankus. In the Luhansk region, a unit under his command repelled assaults by superior enemy forces. He was severely wounded, but continued to carry out his mission, assisted others, and covered the retreat of the wounded. He held the position by himself, preventing the Russian occupiers from taking control and advancing further. After the reinforcements arrived, Artur Stankus led the evacuation of the wounded and was killed in a shelling.
Junior Sergeant Maksym Piasetskyi. In 2022, together with his unit, he was defending positions in Kamyanka, Kharkiv region, for more than 40 days and repeatedly destroyed enemy vehicles. His Stugna-P ATGM unit destroyed two tanks moving from Izyum, forcing the occupiers to retreat. Maksym Piasetskyi was killed by artillery fire while holding back another attack.
Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Tsebrii. He killed almost 30 invaders and captured an enemy infantry fighting vehicle in the Donetsk region. He was wounded during the assault but continued to hold his position. Despite the shelling, he evacuated three wounded brothers-in-arms. Last year, on the night of July 24, he led an assault group. The occupiers suffered losses and were forced to retreat. Oleksandr Tsebrii evacuated a wounded warrior but was killed while continuing his mission.
Junior Sergeant Oleh Andriichuk. He defended Ukraine in the area of Toretsk and Bakhmut. In April 2023, he took an active part in planning and preparing an assault and defense operation near Khromove. Despite being wounded, he refused to evacuate, gave the command to evacuate the most severely wounded, and continued to lead the defense until the rotation team arrived. As a result of his injuries, Oleh Andriichuk died at the stabilization point.
Sergeant Dmytro Shevchenko. Last year in May, near Chasiv Yar, he hit an armored vehicle, which disrupted the enemy's offensive. He blocked a group of Russian paratroopers, killing two and wounding seven others. On May 29, the unit under his command destroyed four units of military machinery and a significant number of invaders. While the warriors were moving to the evacuation site, the enemy hit them with FPV drones. Dmytro Shevchenko, sustained fatal injuries while covering his brothers-in-arms.
Soldier Mykyta Kolisnyk (National Guard). In January 2023, in Bakhmut, during an enemy offensive on a National Guard stronghold, he eliminated nearly 20 invaders with precision fire. Later, he killed 11 more invaders, shot down one armored personnel carrier and destroyed another. Later, during a battle, an enemy grenade exploded near Mykyta Kolisnyk's position, causing him to sustain a fatal injury.
Junior Lieutenant Andrii Siadrystyi (National Guard). In the Zaporizhzhia direction in July 2023, on his orders, a combat unit stopped the enemy's advance and destroyed an armored personnel carrier and two infantry fighting vehicles. Then the Junior Lieutenant personally eliminated six occupiers. Near Robotyne, Andrii Siadrystyi was the first to open fire on the enemy's superior forces, eliminating four invaders and destroying a Tiger light armored vehicle.
Major Andrii Hutsal (State Border Guard Service). On February 25 of last year, during an assault, he coordinated the evacuation of the wounded under enemy fire, helping the defenders repel the attack. After being wounded himself, he refused to leave the position and returned to complete the evacuation. During the withdrawal, he came under fire and was severely wounded. While the infantry fighting vehicle was heading to the stabilization point, it was hit by a missile, killing everyone inside.
Lieutenant Ihor Poliovyi (State Border Guard Service). In May 2024, his reconnaissance group occupied one of the forward positions in Vovchansk and halted the enemy’s advance. This allowed for the rapid encirclement of a group of occupiers at one of the local plants. In June, he personally eliminated two occupiers in an enemy trench, wounded two more, and captured one, holding the position alone. Ihor Poliovyi was killed on October 23 while carrying out a combat mission in the Kursk region.
Senior Lieutenant Ivan Ulezko (Security Service of Ukraine). As part of a sniper team, he personally eliminated four occupiers and wounded three more in the Bakhmut area. In the Kharkiv region, acting as both a sniper and UAV operator, he conducted aerial reconnaissance and engaged in drone-kamikaze operations against enemy infantry: eliminating nine occupiers and wounding eleven. Last November, during an operation to neutralize an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group, his tactical team was ambushed. Ivan Ulezko ensured the withdrawal of his team but was fatally wounded.
The President presented warriors with the Golden Stars of the Hero of Ukraine. The highest state award was conferred upon:
Junior Sergeant Bohdan Masko. During the fighting in the Kherson region, he sustained combat injuries four times but continued to carry out his missions. In the Donetsk region, he conducted aerial reconnaissance and adjusted artillery and mortar fire. During one of the battles, he provided aid to a wounded brother-in-arms and helped transport him to the evacuation point. In 2024–2025, he eliminated nearly 50 occupiers using drones.
Soldier Vitalii Shuba. He has been defending Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. As a member of an assault group, and later its commander, he took part in recapture and defense of strongholds. He repeatedly adjusted artillery fire. Over seven days, single-handedly eliminated ten occupiers and three infantry fighting vehicles, when replacement was impossible due to full enemy fire control. In total, his actions led to the destruction of 90 invaders, 12 IFVs, and a T-72 tank.
Soldier Vladyslav Stepanchuk (State Border Guard Service). In July 2023, he enrolled at the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service, and by April 2024, at his own request, he joined the newly created fire support unit. In the same month, during shelling, the 18-year-old soldier saved a 105-mm cannon. In the Kursk region, together with his crew, he brought to backup firing positions soldiers from adjacent units who had lost communication. In total, he saved 21 defenders, two of whom were injured.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also awarded warriors with the Crosses of Military Merit. The recipients are:
Junior Lieutenant Valentyn Roman. He performed combat missions in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk regions. He led assaults and defensive actions, strengthening the front-line positions. Last October, during his shift, he personally held the observation post and repelled an enemy attack. Valentyn Roman and the groups under his command destroyed over 170 occupiers, as well as infantry fighting vehicles, MT-LB armored fighting vehicles, and tanks.
Captain Vladyslav Bondarenko. He assembled an assault squad and recaptured two lost positions. Later, in conditions of encirclement, he was severely wounded but continued to lead the fight. After two days, communication with the group was lost. The captain, who was unconscious, was found and evacuated to the nearest position, but the warriors were noticed by the occupiers. To prevent a breakthrough, Vladyslav Bondarenko called down fire on himself. On the fifth day, he was finally evacuated to the stabilization point.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrii Horian. He commanded units of the airmobile battalion and coordinated assault actions in the Kursk region. He ensured the timely arrival of the unit at the designated positions, provided instructions to assault units to recapture new positions, led the battle, and effectively coordinated tasks for the assault groups.
Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Vlasov. In August 2024, in the Kursk region, he led groups out of the shelling and coordinated the evacuation of the wounded. Thanks to this, he saved the lives of 17 warriors. In October, under difficult conditions, he quickly responded to the changing combat situation, planned and carried out a clearance operation, destroying 16 occupiers
Senior Soldier Yurii Hrytsenia. Thanks to him, full control was restored over the village of Plekhovo in the Kursk region. He led his unit, personally killing three Russian soldiers and saving the lives of five wounded brothers-in-arms. In the village of Pohrebky, he eliminated nine enemies and seized radio stations, which allowed for the recapture of lost positions and halted the enemy's advance. In December, Yurii Hrytsenia lost his arm due to a wound.
Colonel Maksym Lanovyi. Deputy Head of the Hetman Petro Sahaidachny National Army Academy. Last September, in the areas of Vuhledar, Kostyantynivka, and Hostre, he carried out simultaneous offensive actions across the areas of responsibility of three brigades. In total, under his command, brigade units destroyed 30 artillery pieces, 33 mortars, 4 self-propelled guns, 17 tanks, 106 armored vehicles, eliminated 428 occupiers, and wounded nearly a thousand.
Captain Ihor Sudomiy. Near Hostomel, he prevented the capture of Ukrainian positions by an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group, killing three occupiers and wounding four more. In the Luhansk region, his assault group attacked enemy positions, destroying 10 invaders and two enemy IFVs. In the Kharkiv region, his unit took two strongholds and destroyed two tanks, eight APCs, three MT-LBs, six vehicles, and nearly a platoon of occupiers.
