President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Decree № 74/2022 on awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to sapper, sailor Vitaliy Skakun (posthumously) for outstanding personal courage and heroism shown in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath.
"I approved a decision to posthumously award the title of Hero of Ukraine to Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Skakun, a sapper of the 35th Separate Marine Brigade. At the cost of his own life, he blew up the bridge," the Head of State said.
Vitaliy Skakun died on February 24, 2022 during the detonation of the Henichesk Bridge, which was carried out to stop the advance of a tank column of Russian troops.