On the Day of Tank Forces, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with tankmen and presented them with state awards.
He emphasized that today, for the first time, our country celebrates the Day of Tank Forces, founded on the Ukrainian victory.
"Last year, the Kharkiv offensive ended on these very days. On September 14, after stabilization measures, our blue and yellow flag was raised in Izyum. Tank forces were one of the foundations of this offensive operation, of our might," the Head of State said.
The President noted that during this operation, it was the tank forces that ensured the speed and power of the Ukrainian strike, overcame the superior forces of the Russian occupation troops and captured 77 Russian tanks that served our warriors as trophies.
"When we greet our heroic tank forces and thank them, we thank them precisely for returning freedom, life, and our people's faith in victory to Ukraine and making our forces stronger," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Head of State wished the warriors and their families health, strength and victory.
The participants also observed a minute of silence in memory of all the heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine.
On the occasion of the Day of Tank Forces, Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to the servicemen.
The "Cross of Combat Merit" Presidential decoration was awarded to Senior Sergeant Oleh Palamarchuk, who showed personal courage and heroism in a defensive battle, skillfully led the tank crew, which prevented the enemy sabotage group from breaking through. In the battle, an enemy tank was damaged and at least two invaders were killed.
Sergeant Vladyslav Simak was also awarded the Cross of Combat Merit by the Head of State. The tank platoon under his command repeatedly conducted operations to destroy enemy equipment and manpower in Donetsk region. During the awarding ceremony, Vladyslav Simak handed over a combat chevron to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In addition, the warriors were awarded the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III degree, "For Courage", II and III degrees, and "For Military Service to Ukraine" medal.
