Zelensky Honors Heroes: Awarding Colonel Prokopenko and Other Military Personnel with Orders and Medals
In a traditional awarding ceremony conducted on the directive of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, distinguished military personnel and individuals who demonstrated exceptional bravery and dedication in the fight for the country’s independence and security received high state honors.
Among the most prominent recipients was Colonel Denys Prokopenko, commander of the 1st National Guard of Ukraine «Azov» Corps, who was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky II degree — one of the highest distinctions for achievements in the security sector.
Additionally, ten other National Guard soldiers were awarded the III degree orders, including Igor Benzaruk, Denys Bortsov, Stanislav Zobnyev, Sviatoslav Kozak and others.
Equally noteworthy is the fact that more than a dozen officers from the National Police and State Border Guard Service received high awards such as the Orders of «For Bravery» at various levels, mostly posthumously.
Several service medals, including the «For Military Service to Ukraine», «Defender of the Homeland», and «For Saved Life», were also awarded, highlighting the deep appreciation of the Ukrainian state for the heroic deeds of its defenders.