The awards were presented on the Day of Defenders and Defendresses of Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed decrees awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to five military personnel, four of whom received the honor posthumously. All awards include the Order of the Golden Star. This was reported by Ukrinform, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The relevant documents, dated October 1, 2026, were published on the official website of the head of state. The titles were conferred for personal courage and heroism displayed in defense of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for dedicated service to the Ukrainian people.
Names of the honored defenders
According to Decree No. 987/2026, the Hero of Ukraine title with the Order of the Golden Star was awarded posthumously to Senior Sergeant Olha Oleksandrivna Taran. Similar posthumous awards were granted to Sergeant Oleksandr Olehovych Kalashnyk (Decree No. 988/2026), Junior Sergeant Maryna Vitaliivna Hrytsenko (Decree No. 989/2026), and Senior Soldier Oleksandr Viktorovych Onyshchenko (Decree No. 990/2026).
Honoring a service member
In addition to the fallen defenders, the title was awarded to soldier Yurii Mykolaiovych Melnyk, as confirmed by Decree No. 991/2026. The awarding took place on the Day of Defenders and Defendresses of Ukraine.
Photo: ОП
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