Zelensky awards ‘City-Hero of Ukraine’: which settlements received the honored title
During a solemn ceremony dedicated to Defender of Ukraine Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky bestowed a prestigious title on several Ukrainian cities for their outstanding heroism and resilience in defending the nation.
Officially published on the president’s website, the decree announced the awarding of the ‘City-Hero of Ukraine’ honor to 16 municipalities, each demonstrating remarkable courage and steadfastness during challenging wartime conditions.
Zelensky emphasized that these cities not only saved thousands of lives but also became symbols of unbreakable spirit, dedication, and the unwavering protection of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The list of awarded cities includes locations across various regions: on the Dnipro region — Pavlograd, Nikopol, and Marganets; in Donetsk — Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, and Sloviansk; in Zaporizhzhia — Huliaipole and Orihiv; in Mykolaiv — Voznesensk and Bashtan; in Sumy — Sumy and Trostianets; in Kharkiv — Kupiansk; and in Khmelnytskyi — Starokostiantyniv.
Zelensky stressed that this recognition not only honors the heroism of these communities but also highlights the crucial role of every Ukrainian in safeguarding independence.
The title of ‘City-Hero’ has been awarded previously in 2022 to Mykolaiv, Bucha, and Irpin, and in 2023 to the mayor of Kharkiv, symbolizing the resilience and unity of these cities in the ongoing struggle for sovereignty.
Additionally, the city of Okhtyrka was also honored, exemplifying courageous local efforts amidst difficult circumstances in recent Ukrainian history.