President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Gold Star Orders to servicemen who were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, and to members of the families of fallen defenders who were awarded this title posthumously.
The ceremony took place in the White Hall of Heroes of Ukraine in the Mariyinsky Palace in the city of Kyiv.
"This is not just a ceremony - this is a manifestation of the highest gratitude on behalf of the entire Ukrainian people to those whose courage and wisdom on the battlefield save Ukraine, save the lives of millions of our citizens," said the Head of State.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the fate of the Ukrainian people is being decided in the brutal war that Russia started against Ukraine.
"All generations of Ukrainians who will live on this land will always remember the feat of those who stopped the Russian invasion and bring our victory closer. Thousands of people gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine," he said.
The President emphasized that today he presents 14 Gold Star Orders, beyond which are not just heroic deeds, but saved lives and the mandatory defeat of the Russian occupiers.
"The inevitable defeat of the enemy, saved cities of Ukraine, saved people, saved comrades are beyond them. The personalities who managed to become the best are beyond them. The families who raised and supported our heroes are beyond them," said the Head of State.
The President thanked the relatives of the defenders for the fact that the Ukrainian people have such heroes, and therefore, they will have a victory.
Those present honored the memory of the victims with a moment of silence.
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhny also took part in the ceremony.
