President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the frontline command post of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade, which is defending the Zaporizhzhia region.
The President received a briefing from Brigade Commander Volodymyr Izbash regarding the situation within the brigade’s area of responsibility, the organization of defenses in the sector, and coordination with other brigades.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the warriors of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade on Land Forces Day.
“I want to thank you, on behalf of all of us, for defending our country. I can only wish you health and resilience. Thank you for holding back the enemy. We also thank your families and loved ones for supporting you,” he said.
The President honored the warriors with state awards. Four defenders received the “Cross of Military Merit” award:
Lieutenant Nazar Hrek. In February this year, en route to positions near Robotyne, he discovered 11 wounded warriors, provided them with assistance, and, despite enemy shelling, evacuated them to safety before returning to continue his combat mission. In May, he saved the life of a wounded warrior who was unable to move on his own. Nazar Hrek carried him nearly 4 kilometers under mortar fire and FPV drone attacks to the evacuation point.
Senior Sergeant Anatoliy Demchuk. Leader of a reconnaissance group that operated in the Kharkiv region and later in the Zaporizhzhia region. Under his leadership, the unit gathered intelligence on enemy movements, repelled enemy assaults, and adjusted Ukrainian artillery fire. During a firefight, Anatoliy Demchuk personally defeated an assault group. He also assisted civilians by organizing evacuations, rescuing people from under the rubble after attacks, and providing aid.
Captain Denys Nezhyvyi. In February, as a deputy battalion commander, he organized the defense of frontline positions near Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region. He personally took part in a counterattack and, under heavy fire, evacuated 12 wounded subordinates. In April, he thwarted an enemy attempt to encircle the battalion’s positions, and in August, he led an operation to destroy a gathering point of Russian forces.
Chief Sergeant Andriy Mereshko. In October this year, his unit repelled an enemy assault near the village of Kamyanske in the Zaporizhzhia region, eliminating 13 invaders and continuing their mission under intense fire. During the battle, Andriy Mereshko ordered the evacuation of the wounded, while he stayed to hold the position for nearly 4 hours until reinforcements arrived.
The President also presented defenders with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky I and III class and the Medal "For Saved Life."
