President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska took part in the presentation of the National Legend of Ukraine Presidential Award.
The President presents the National Legend of Ukraine award to citizens who have made a significant contribution to the development of the national economy, science, education, culture, art, sports, healthcare, as well as for active charitable and public activities, personal merits in the establishment of independent Ukraine, strengthening its statehood, defending the Homeland and serving the Ukrainian people.
During the ceremony, which took place on National Flag Day, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that today it is important to know your symbols, which are highly valued and bravely defended by our warriors at the front and the entire people of Ukraine.
"We have plenty of such symbols, but the most important are our flag, our anthem, Ukraine, our land, our Armed Forces, and the people of Ukraine. There are many outstanding personalities among our people who are worthy of their country. And we have legends," the President said.
The Head of State noted that the award is a sign of gratitude to citizens for their selfless work.
"Gratitude for glorifying our country and our history. For working, serving, and defending our country and our borders. We are extremely grateful to you for this. Please know that you are highly valued. The whole nation is grateful to you - I can say this with confidence. Glory to you and glory to Ukraine!" Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
This year's winners of the National Legend of Ukraine Presidential Award are:
Junior Lieutenant, commander of the 1st separate mechanized battalion "Da Vinci Wolves" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Dmytro "Da Vinci" Kotsiubailo (posthumously). Since 2014, he has been actively involved in hostilities. He was seriously wounded, but returned to the front three months later. The first volunteer to be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. On March 7, 2023, Dmytro Kotsiubailo was killed in the battle for Bakhmut.
Neurosurgeon Andriy Sirko, Head of the Center for Cerebral Neurosurgery at Mechnykov Dnipropetrovsk Regional Clinical Hospital. He has personally performed more than 700 unique, highly complex surgeries that saved the lives of our military.
Volunteer, head of the Leleka Foundation Iryna Huk. Since 2014, she has been engaged in tactical medicine, namely the provision of critical medical supplies for Ukraine's defenders and civilians.
Japanese volunteer Fuminori Tsuchiko. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he came to Ukraine on purpose to support those who were forced to live in the Kharkiv subway, hiding from shelling. He opened a cafe at his own expense, where he organized daily free meals for the locals.
Ukrainian rhythmic gymnastics coach, Honored Coach of Ukraine, Hero of Ukraine Albina Deriugina (posthumously). She organized the Deriugins' School of Rhythmic Gymnastics in Kyiv, which has gained worldwide fame. Albina Deriugina has trained a number of Olympic, world and European champions.
Honored Journalist of Ukraine, war correspondent, presenter and screenwriter Andriy Tsaplienko. Since 2014, he has been actively filming exclusive materials about the war in Ukraine. On March 25, 2022, Andriy was injured while performing an editorial assignment in Chernihiv region. He was awarded the Order for Courage of the II and III degrees.
Power engineer from Kramatorsk, operation engineer for the linear part of the main gas pipeline Volodymyr Letenko. A rocket hit a gas pipe and caused a fire on the gas pipeline leading to the gas distribution station of Vuhlehirsk SDPP. The flames were over 100 meters high. Under fire, Volodymyr stopped the gas leak and saved lives. He also took part in mine clearance in Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian musician, singer, composer, poet, People's Artist of Ukraine Taras Petrynenko. He is the author of "Ukraine" song, which has become a kind of unofficial anthem of our country. This year, Taras Petrynenko turned 70.
The first solemn ceremony of awarding the National Legend of Ukraine Presidential Award took place on August 22, 2021, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the award has been given to those who save, protect and ensure life through their work: military, medical workers, volunteers, power engineers, and Ukrzaliznytsia employees who carried out evacuations.
