On November 8, marking the new day of honoring the Airborne Forces of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the soldiers on their professional holiday, awarding them state decorations and presenting battle flags.
The head of state expressed gratitude to the airborne forces for their service, emphasizing their participation in all key battles and operations.
“Currently, our Airborne Forces hold the line on the Pokrovsk direction, the Dobropil operation is underway, and we defend Donetsk, Kharkiv, and southern regions. The heroic Kursk operation was also made possible largely due to our paratroopers,” Zelensky noted.
The President highlighted that together with other components of the security and defense forces, the airborne troops ensure significant successes on the battlefield, and without their achievements, strong results for all of Ukraine are unimaginable.
“Each unit of the Ukrainian Airborne Forces is our pride and our independence. Thanks to soldiers like you, Ukraine remains and will always be able to defend itself,” the head of state emphasized.
The attendees honored the memory of all fallen soldiers with a moment of silence.
The President also awarded four Heroes of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star. The highest state award was presented to:
Colonel Oleg Zmyslyy, commander of the 148th separate artillery brigade, whose units eliminated over 1600 invaders in battles in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.
Lieutenant Colonel Kostiantyn Revutskyi, who destroyed nearly 50 invaders during battles in Donetsk.
Soldier Viacheslav Tkachenko, actively participating in combat actions in Luhansk.
Junior Sergeant Dmytro Shavaldin, performing tasks in Donetsk since October 2022.
The President also recognized soldiers with the Cross of Military Merit.
Major Ruslan Bilobrov, commander of the 79th separate airborne assault brigade, distinguished himself in battles on the Pokrovsk direction.
Colonel Eduard Kolodiy became the first Ukrainian soldier awarded the Cross of Military Merit twice.
Volodymyr Zelensky also awarded military personnel with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi and “For Courage.”
The President presented a battle flag to the commander of the 421st separate drone battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Levkovskyi.
