There are our answers to every Russian strike - the President at the time of honoring soldiers with the highest state awards

He is a defender of Ukraine's independence, our entire culture, our entire people," the Head of State said.   The President emphasized that Russia wants to take everything from Ukraine, and that is why Ukrainians should be aware of the importance of unity in the defense of the country and honor the feat of the soldiers.   "We are doing everything to make Ukraine stronger every day, and that is exactly what is needed.

There are our responses to every Russian strike, and it will be even more tangible. We will take revenge for each of our fallen heroes. And we will force Russia to make peace - for sure. There will be a day when this war ends and when we guarantee real security for all Ukrainian children, for all our generations," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.   The memory of all fallen soldiers was honored with a moment of silence.

The head of state presented the "Gold Star" orders to the relatives of the fallen defenders. The title of Hero of Ukraine was awarded posthumously to: Senior soldier Gennadiy Afanasyev. Defended Kyiv, took part in the defense of Irpen and Buch, in battles in Kharkiv region, Luhansk region and Donetsk region.

On December 18, 2022, together with a group of seven soldiers, he held the defense in the Luhansk region under mortar, artillery and tank fire from the enemy, despite the much larger forces of the occupiers. Gennady Afanasyev died while holding back the enemy's advance on Belogorivka.    Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Bondarenko. In December of last year near Pokrovsk, he participated in the capture of the defense line and coordinated the actions of assault groups.

Later, he performed combat missions in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of Russia, in particular, he planned assault actions to recapture positions from the enemy. On the twenty-sixth of April of this year, he personally led and led an assault group into position, but during a shooting battle with the enemy, he suffered life-threatening injuries. Lieutenant Colonel Serhiy Kandyba (NSU).

During the defense of Mariupol and heavy fighting on Azovstal, he personally eliminated about 40 invaders, destroyed cars, disabled BMP, three armored personnel carriers and an enemy tank. Thanks to him, it was possible to save the lives of at least a detachment of wounded defenders and several dozen civilians. Serhii Kandyba died on May 2, 2022 as a result of a mine explosion while covering the maneuver of his unit in battle.   Volunteer Taras Karpyuk.

Performed special combat and reconnaissance tasks in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporozhye and Kherson region. On December 24, 2022, as part of a reconnaissance group, he penetrated into the rear areas of the enemy and successfully completed the task. However, while returning from it, Ukrainian soldiers were ambushed by the enemy. A group of scouts fought to the last battle.   Staff Sergeant Ivan Kedyk.

He carried out combat missions in Donetsk region and participated in the operation in Kursk region. On August 13 last year, as part of a reconnaissance group, he discovered an enemy ambush, but the enemy hit his vehicle with an anti-tank guided missile.

As a result, Ivan Kedyk died, but he managed to transmit by radio the exact coordinates of the location of the ambush and the direction of a possible attack of the enemy, which enabled the command to change the route of movement of the battalion's main forces in time and avoid significant losses. Senior Lieutenant Ruslan Luknytskyi.

In April 2022, a platoon under his leadership, storming enemy positions on the outskirts of Popasnaya, was ambushed by a significantly larger number of invaders and their equipment. Ruslan Luknytskyi died on April 24, 2022, covering the departure of Ukrainian defenders and saving the lives of ten subordinates.   Soldier Mykola Postovoy. He was wounded during the fighting in the Kharkiv region, but refused to evacuate and continued to repel the onslaught of the invaders.

Despite the greater number of enemy forces, the unit under his command repelled four assaults, killed nine and wounded eight invaders. On November 23 last year, he evacuated a wounded comrade in conditions of high activity of Russian attack drones. Having reached almost the point of evacuation and saving the life of a soldier, Mykola Postovoy was seriously injured by the discharge of ammunition, as a result of which he died in the hospital.    Sailor Oleg Khomytskyi.

Took part in battles in Donetsk region and Kherson region. With the help of drones, he eliminated almost 130 occupiers and wounded more than 120, destroyed 20 enemy shelters and Russian equipment. Detected the positions of the occupiers, which made it possible to eliminate more than 90 Russian soldiers, an enemy mortar, an electronic warfare station, two anti-aircraft guns, an armored vehicle and a base of drone crews.

On July 18 of this year, enemy drones hit the position of the remote piloting of the BpLA company, as a result of which he suffered life-threatening injuries. The President also personally awarded the Hero of Ukraine, the commander of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade, Colonel Oleksandr Dovgach, with a "Gold Star". Made more than 150 sorties and struck control points, weapons, military equipment, manpower, infrastructure facilities and means of communication.

He also covered attack and bomber aircraft, shot down drones and cruise missiles. Oleksandr Dovgach liberated Zmiiny Island, Kyiv Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast and the right bank of Kherson Oblast. He repeatedly performed combat missions in conditions of threat to his life. During this year alone, about 20 launches of Russian missiles at his plane were recorded, but Oleksandr Dovgach always fulfilled the tasks set before him to the end.

    The head of state also awarded the "Cross of Combat Merit" to junior sergeant Yevhen Minzhener. Conducted aerial reconnaissance while being near Krynyk from April to September 2024. He also adjusted artillery and mortar fire under constant attacks from enemy artillery and drones. Thanks to his work, dozens of shelters, strongholds, guns, mortars and assault groups of the enemy were destroyed.