President presented awards to the military and members of the families of fallen defenders, who were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, as well as the first Knights of the Cross of Military Merit

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Golden Star orders to servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and to members of the families of defenders who were posthumously awarded this title. The Head of State also presented the first awards of the Cross of Military Merit.

The solemn ceremony has traditionally taken place in the White Hall of Heroes of Ukraine at the Mariyinsky Palace in Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that today Ukraine marks Infantry Day - a holiday of

brave, determined people whose service is the foundation of the Ukrainian army.

According to the President, this day is special for him personally, as his grandfather fought in World War II as an infantryman.

"I remember well his strength, his strong handshake, which was unforgettable for me as a little boy. Because despite the hand shot in the war, he kept his strength. He kept the strength of the infantry," he recalled.

The Head of State stressed that today in the war against the Russian invaders, the Ukrainian infantry brilliantly perform the tasks set before them.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the first military awards of independent Ukraine - the Cross of Military Merit introduced by decree of the President.

"It is quite fair that such an award has been established right now in our state. Ukrainians have always valued and noted military merit. We have a great heroic legacy and, consequently, traditions of military awards," he said.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhny, who from the beginning of Russia's armed aggression successfully organized the defense of the state and personally led the heroic resistance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to this invasion, became the first Knight of the Cross of Military Merit.

The award was also received by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Yevhen Moysiuk, Commander of the 14th separate mechanized brigade, Colonel Oleksandr Okhrimenko, Deputy Commander of the mechanized battalion of the 72nd separate mechanized brigade, Captain Vladyslav Kaliyevsky, combat medic of the 72nd separate mechanized brigade, Sergeant Dariya Mazurenko.

The President noted that the courage and wisdom, combat effectiveness of these people in the war for Ukraine give all our citizens a special hope for the victory.

The President also presented the Golden Star orders to six Heroes of Ukraine and the family of a warrior who was awarded this title posthumously.