Zelenskyy honored five fallen defenders with the title of Hero of Ukraine
On October 1, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to five defenders. All of them also received the Order of the Golden Star—the highest state award granted to a Hero of Ukraine. In a separate decree, the president honored another 499 military personnel, police officers, National Guard members, rescue workers, and border guards.
On October 1, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed five decrees conferring the title of Hero of Ukraine. All awards were posthumous. The relevant documents were published on the head of state’s official website. Each decree states that the title was awarded for personal courage and heroism in defending Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for selfless service to the Ukrainian people.
Who Received the Title of Hero of Ukraine
The title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the “Golden Star” was posthumously conferred on Colonel Roman Palamari. This is stipulated in Decree No. 1000/2026 dated October 1. Police Lieutenant Oleksandr Ustyich received the same award. The title was conferred upon him posthumously by Decree No. 1001/2026. Police Captain Myroslav Yarmishko was also posthumously named a Hero of Ukraine. The president signed the corresponding decree No. 1002/2026 on October 1.
Senior Private Volodymyr Kosmirak was also posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. This is specified in Decree No. 1003/2026. The fifth recipient was Senior Private Anton Vizichkanich. He was also posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Golden Star. This is provided for in Decree No. 1004/2026. All five decrees use the same wording regarding the grounds for the awards—personal courage and heroism in defending Ukraine and selfless service to the Ukrainian people.
Another 499 defenders received state awards
In a separate decree, No. 1005/2026, Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored another 499 defenders and law enforcement officials with state awards on October 1. Among those honored were servicemen of the National Guard of Ukraine, police officers, rescue workers, and border guards. 210 people received awards posthumously.
The document states that they were honored for their personal courage in defending Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for their selfless service to the Ukrainian people. Among the awards were the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, “For Merit,” “For Courage,” Princess Olga, and Danylo Halytskyi.
The defenders were also awarded the medals “For Military Service to Ukraine,” “For Impeccable Service,” “Defender of the Fatherland,” “For a Life Saved,” and “For Labor and Valor.” Thus, on October 1, the president signed separate decrees conferring the highest military rank posthumously on five defenders and awarding state honors to another 499 people.
