Today, 1 October, Ukraine marks the Day of Defenders. The Irpin community began the day by honouring its soldiers: seven Heroes received awards posthumously.

This was reported by Oleksandr Pashchynskyi, first deputy mayor of Irpin.

Who was honoured in Irpin

Vadym Lykhatskyi, Artem Popov and Roman Stupak were posthumously awarded the medal “For Sacrifice and Love for Ukraine”. Yevhenii Zinchenko was posthumously awarded the Cross of Honour.

Serhii Zeleniuk was posthumously awarded the Defence Ministry’s Land Forces Cross, and Oleksandr Yunh the Combatant’s Cross with the Honour and Memory badge. Roman Dimitrov was posthumously awarded the Order for Courage, third class.

Honouring defenders in Irpin on 1 OctoberPhoto: Oleksandr Pashchynskyi
Honouring defenders in Irpin on 1 October

Andrii Savchenko, who continues to defend Ukraine, received the Defence Ministry’s Wound badge. And 18 children whose parents gave their lives for Ukraine received “Father’s Heart” keepsakes.

Behind every Hero there is a family: parents, wives and husbands, children, relatives and friends. Their pain cannot be measured in words, but our duty is to remember the names of the fallen, keep the memory of their heroism and support those who go on living with this loss

Oleksandr Pashchynskyifirst deputy mayor of Irpin
A “Father’s Heart” keepsake for the child of a fallen defenderPhoto: Oleksandr Pashchynskyi
A “Father’s Heart” keepsake for the child of a fallen defender

Words of thanks from Bucha

Bucha City Council thanked defenders for every new day. In the council’s words, a home and the chance to live next to those we love are the result of the hard daily work of those who stood up to defend the country.

During the ceremony honouring defenders in IrpinPhoto: Oleksandr Pashchynskyi
During the ceremony honouring defenders in Irpin

Where veterans can get help

Communities in the Kyiv region have 279 specialists who support veterans and demobilised servicemen and women. They help with paperwork and payments, finding work or study, rehabilitation and other services.

After the first contact the specialist stays in touch and helps with further questions. You can find one in your own or a neighbouring community on the Kyiv Regional Military Administration website.

As a reminder, a rehabilitation space for veterans has opened at the Kyiv Regional Hospital.

Nota bene

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