During a working trip to the Donetsk region, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visited one of the command posts of the 41st separate mechanized brigade.
The Head of State listened to the report of brigade commander Serhii Romashko regarding the current state of operations in the area of responsibility of the 41st separate mechanized brigade, the combat tasks set and interaction with neighbouring units. Serhii Romashko also reported on the construction of defensive lines and the installation of mine barriers.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the soldiers for protecting Ukraine and honoured them with awards.
The President conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine and presented the Order of the Golden Star to Chief Sergeant Serhii Hvozd. He has been defending Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale invasion. During this time, combined groups under his command repeatedly repelled enemy assaults in the Donetsk region. Thanks to his accurate shots and efficient control of drones, the invaders suffered significant losses in both equipment and manpower. Serhii Hvozd was wounded several times, and despite the threat posed to his life, he would save his brothers-in-arms.
Staff Sergeant Oleh Diachuk received the award of the President of Ukraine "Cross of Military Merit". He participated in battles, in particular for the Kyiv region, the Kharkiv region, and the Donetsk region. He is currently carrying out combat missions in the vicinity of Klishchiivka as part of the crews operating anti-tank guided missiles and tripod-mounted anti-tank grenade launchers. Thanks to the work organized by him, about 20 Russian invaders were destroyed and about 50 were wounded.
Another Ukrainian defender was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III class, and two others were awarded the Order "For Courage" III class.
"It's a pleasure for me to be here, to see you, to thank and reward you in person. You are on one of the hottest, and perhaps the hardest battle lines for our country today. Thank you for fighting for Ukraine, for the Ukrainian Donbas. I am grateful to those of your brothers-in-arms who, unfortunately, are no longer with us, but they are forever in our memory. I wish you health, strength, victory and all the best. Thank you once again for protecting Ukraine and defending our people and our land," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
