VIDEO: Zelenskyy Honors Army Aviation Soldiers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to military personnel of the Army Aviation of the Ground Forces on the occasion of their professional holiday.
The head of state emphasized that since the start of the full-scale war, the pilots have carried out thousands of combat missions. Every night, they take part in destroying Russian drones, support Ukrainian troops on the front lines, strike the enemy, evacuate the wounded, and provide logistical support, carrying out missions at extremely low altitudes.
According to the president, it was army aviation that played a crucial role in the defense of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and the southern regions; in supporting the Mariupol garrison and Azovstal; and during the operation to liberate Zmiinyi Island.
During the ceremony, Zelenskyy presented state awards to 15 military personnel. They received the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, 1st and 2nd classes; the Order “For Courage,” 1st through 3rd classes; and the Medal “For Military Service to Ukraine.”
Among those honored were father and son Pavlo and Anton Mudryi. Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Mudryi flew 312 combat missions in Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, while his son, Anton Mudry, flew 195 combat missions as an air gunner and, in just a few months, personally destroyed more than 200 Russian drones, including “Shaheds.”
The president also presented the epaulets of a brigadier general to Pavlo Bardakov, commander of the Army Aviation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. During the ceremony, those present observed a moment of silence in honor of the fallen defenders.
Source: Office of the President of Ukraine.
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