They managed to bind the enemy’s forces: 5 defenders of Mariupol were awarded the Golden Star
In Turkey, the head of the OP Andriy Yermak, on the instructions of President Volodymyr Zelenskyу, awarded the Golden Star to five defenders of Azovstal. They were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.
The highest state award was awarded to the commander of a special unit of the Azov National Guard, Denys Prokopenko (call sign Redis), his deputy Svyatoslav Palamar, v. at. the commander of the 36th separate brigade of marines Serhiy Volynskyi (call sign Volyn), the senior officer of Azov Oleg Khomenko and the commander of the 12th brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine Denys Shlegu.
The awarding ceremony took place during the meeting of Yermak and First Lady Оlena Zelenska with the defenders of Azovstal and their family members in Turkey.
– The units you led made an invaluable contribution to the future victory of Ukraine. You and your subordinates managed to bind the enormous forces of the enemy. The forces that were lacking for the occupation of larger territories, – said Andriy Yermak, presenting the order to Denys Prokopenko.
During the meeting, a video call was held by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyу.
– We are all proud of you. And I am extremely happy that you are with your relatives, and I am very happy that we have you. You are not just heroes, you are living heroes, and that is very important. I thank each and every one of you. And we will do everything to take your brothers who are now in captivity. I am proud that we live in the same country, fight for it together and will definitely win. Glory to Ukraine! – said the head of state.
Olena Zelenska also congratulated the soldiers on behalf of all the Ukrainians they protected and presented valuable gifts.
– The main thing is that Ukraine fights and will fight for all our people. There are still many of them in Russian captivity – men and women, military and civilians. And we need each and every one. Alive, – said the first lady.
For their part, the defenders of Azovstal handed Zelenskyу a flag of Ukraine with the signatures and wishes of five commanders and the motto: There is no glory without a fight.