President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the main command post of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where he met with the warriors and presented them with state awards.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from TDF Commander Ihor Plakhuta on the tasks the brigades are performing in the combat zone.
The President expressed his gratitude to all the soldiers, sergeants, and officers who have earned recognition and respect for Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces.
They have distinguished themselves in the defense of Kharkiv, the north of Ukraine, the battles in the Donetsk region, the liberation of the Kherson region, and in the defense of the Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.
"We all appreciate every unit of Ukraine’s territorial defense, which is currently holding the front line with steadfastness and providing strong support to the positions of our other brigades fighting alongside them," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President honored the defenders with state awards. In particular, he presented the Order of the Golden Star of the Hero of Ukraine to Captain Yuriy Zhukovets. In April of this year, while serving as part of a consolidated unit in the Kharkiv region under heavy fire from Russian occupiers, he recaptured lost positions and brought new units to hold them. He personally provided first aid to a wounded brother-in-arms, helped him reach cover, and organized the evacuation. As part of the group, he captured 11 Russian occupiers. Despite being wounded, he continued to lead the unit until the settlement was cleared.
Additionally, five warriors were awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class, one received the Order "For Courage," II class, and seven were awarded the Order "For Courage,” III class.
