Defending Ukraine, our army has changed so much that it is now in many respects a model for other armies - the President congratulated the soldiers on the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
"And even those in the world who still do not believe in Ukraine or simply do not know enough about our state, still have to reckon with how Ukraine will react," the President noted. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyi, our state now has a strong position in the negotiations thanks to the fact that Ukrainians stand firm in our army, on the positions of our statehood and on the defense of our independence.
"Defending Ukraine, our army has changed so much that now it is in many ways a model for other armies of the world. But changes must and will continue. Our army must be as modern as possible in everything," the President emphasized. The head of state thanked every family of Ukrainian soldiers and called to always remember loved ones, friends, acquaintances and strangers - all Ukrainians who gave their lives for the sake of Ukraine.
Those present honored the memory of all fallen Ukrainian soldiers with a moment of silence. Volodymyr Zelensky presented the "Golden Star" orders to relatives of fallen Heroes of Ukraine. The highest state award was awarded to: Senior Sergeant Ihor Zhuravel. Was able to provide important intelligence and capture a Russian radio station, destroying four invaders. He organized the evacuation of the wounded and covered their movement.
On August 10 last year, he was wounded twice in a row, but continued to fire. In this battle, Igor Zhuravel destroyed about 20 invaders, ensured the regrouping of units and the evacuation of the wounded, but he himself died as a result of a third wound during artillery fire. Junior Sergeant Vitaly Karvatskyi. At the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, he voluntarily mobilized to the ranks of the territorial defense.
He performed combat missions in the hottest areas of the front, in particular in the Avdiiv and Pokrovsky directions. Since April 2024, he was an operator of FPV drones in the Kharkiv direction, destroyed more than 600 enemy infantrymen and dozens of armored vehicles. Vitaly Karvatsky was killed on June 12 this year by an enemy FPV drone. Soldier Oleg Yarovy. In August of last year in Donetsk region, remaining alone in the position, he repelled Russian attacks for a week.
In December, with only one machine gun in his hands, he destroyed more than 20 invaders. He learned to fly drones on his own and used them to evacuate the wounded, deliver ammunition and adjust fire. Oleg Yarovy died on July 10 this year in a shooting battle, defending his position to the last. The President personally honored three more Heroes of Ukraine.
The awards were given to: Senior Lieutenant, commander of the 414th separate unmanned systems brigade of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Andriy Klymenko. Took part in the defense of Kyiv, in battles in Kherson region, Kharkiv region, Sumy region, and Donetsk region. From June to September of this year, the unit under the command of Andriy Klymenko struck more than 10,000 Russian soldiers. Soldier Lubomyr Mikalo.
Since April 2022, he participated in battles in Donetsk region, Luhansk region, Kharkiv region and Sumy region. Repeatedly repulsed the assault actions of the enemy forces, which were significantly superior. He was wounded several times, but despite this he continued to defend Ukraine. In May - July, he held his position for 41 days, repelling 17 Russian assaults and being under constant fire. Personally destroyed at least 25 invaders. Junior Sergeant Serhii Tyshchenko.
Since June 24 last year, the combat medic has been continuously at the positions for 471 days without rotation, saving the lives of his comrades, who held back numerous enemy assaults in the Bakhmut district. He repeatedly saved the wounded in the positions of his comrades, risking his own life. Despite the opportunity to go on rotation earlier, Serhii Tyshchenko refused to leave his brothers. In addition, Volodymyr Zelensky presented the defenders with the "Cross of Combat Merit" award.
The award was given to: Major Vladyslav Kotov. The pilot of the Su-25 attack aircraft and the MiG-29 fighter. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, he has flown 253 sorties to cover infantry, destroy Russian aircraft, launch missile and bomb attacks on enemy equipment and occupants. He carried out dozens of successful operations and destroyed 6 drones, a cruise missile, 5 control points and 2 places of accumulation of personnel. Senior Sergeant Denys Marin.
Volunteer, defender of the city of Bakhmut. In combat conditions, he deployed training in tactical medicine, organized the work of medics, and built a medical evacuation system. Under his leadership, 30 wounded soldiers were rescued. In January-August last year, he evacuated about 70 wounded defenders, but he himself was wounded. After treatment, rehabilitation and prosthetics, he returned to his battalion. Captain Oleksandr Cherednichenko.
Thanks to his actions and coordination with a company of attack UAVs, on July 25 of this year, it was possible to stop the enemy's advance and hold the position, destroying 8 invaders. Over the course of a month, Oleksandr Cherednichenko ensured the destruction of more than 600 occupiers by unmanned means while restraining the enemy's assaults.
The President also awarded the defenders with the orders of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the 1st and 2nd degrees, "For Courage" of the 1st-3rd degrees, Princess Olga of the 3rd degree.
The head of state presented the battle flags to the commander of the 141st separate mechanized brigade, the 414th separate brigade of unmanned systems "Birds of Magyar", the 425th separate assault regiment "Skelya" and the 108th separate assault battalion "Da Vinci Wolves" of the 59th separate assault brigade of unmanned systems named after Yakov Handziuk.