Zelenskyy gives out awards and presents to military in Donbas – photo report
Volodymyr Zelenskyi with the Ukrainian military (Photo:www.president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Donetsk Oblast and presented state awards to Ukrainian servicemen on the country’s Army Day holiday, the Office of the President said on Dec. 6.
"I’m honored to be with you here in Donbas today,” Zelenskyy said in his personal address to Ukrainian soldiers.
“Allow me to congratulate you on your holiday and the great holiday of our entire state – the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I wish you strength to heroically defend our state, as you are doing now."
The head of state gave out state awards and presents to Ukrainian defenders.
The president awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and presented the Golden Star Order to the commander of the 54th Independent Mechanized Brigade, Colonel Oleksiy Maistrenko.
"Since Feb. 24 he has personally defended Ukraine from armed Russian aggression,” the decree on granting Maistrenko the award reads.
“The colonel designed (battle plans) and led the 54th brigade action in military operations for the liberation of Spirne in Donetsk Oblast and Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast” the decree adds.
Russian occupying forces carried out over 50 attacks on the positions of the brigade, using aircraft, artillery, tanks and special forces. Despite the difficult combat conditions, the Maistrenko's unit repelled all the attacks and held its positions.
The president also granted the title and order of Hero of Ukraine to Deputy Brigade Commander and Chief of Artillery of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, Volodymyr Poteshkin.
"Since March 2022 he has controlled fire of the brigade artillery and organized the artillery reconnaissance of the enemy's objects,” the decree on the award reads.
“Volodymyr proficiently coordinates the work of the brigade's artillery, providing military support to the unit and effective destruction of the enemy," the message continues
Thanks to Poteshkin’s skills, a lot of enemy's equipment, weapons and personnel were eliminated, in particular in Kyiv Oblast and in the vicinity of Bakhmut and Popasna in the Donbas, the presidential decree reads.
Ukraine celebrates the deeds of the country’s armed forced on Army Day on Dec. 6 each year. This year, amid the full-scale war initiated by Russia against Ukraine, this is now considered one of the greatest holidays in the country, together with Defender's Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 14.
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