On National Guard Day, Zelenskyy awards brigadier general ranks to two military personnel

Updated at 1:37 p.m. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promoted two National Guard officers to brigadier general by decree on March 25.

The appointments went to Colonel Valentyn Ostryzhny, director of the personnel department of the National Guard’s Main Directorate, and Colonel Anton Verkhovenko, head of the Eastern Kharkiv Territorial Directorate.

The decrees were published on the President’s website.

Zelenskyy noted on social media that National Guard troops have defended Ukraine since 2014.

“We remember all Ukrainian soldiers, including the National Guard, the defenders of Mariupol, and the Azov soldiers who are now, unfortunately, in Russian captivity. We are working through all diplomatic channels to secure their release and bring them home,” he said.

The President’s Office added that on March 25, Zelenskyy met with National Guard troops and honored them with state awards, officer promotions, and battle flags.

Ukraine marks the 11th anniversary of the National Guard on March 26.

The force was reestablished in March 2014 based on the Internal Troops of the Interior Ministry and officially renamed the National Guard in 2015.