Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has presented the honorary title of “Hero City of Ukraine” to several municipalities in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi, and Sumy regions. This recognition is aimed at acknowledging the resilience of these communities in the face of ongoing military pressure and attacks.
During a recent ceremony, Zelensky highlighted cities such as Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk, and Sloviansk in Donetsk, as well as Huliaipole and Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia. In Kharkiv, the city of Kupiansk received the honor, while Marhanets, Nikopol, and Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk, Staroostanivka in Khmelnytskyi, and Trostianets and Sumy in Sumy were also recognized.
In addition to the city honors, the President awarded state decorations to local government officials and military administrators. Among the recipients, Serhii Solomakha, the Mayor of Myrhorod, received the Order of Merit, First Class. Ihor Terekhov, the Mayor of Kharkiv, was awarded the Order of Courage, Second Class.
Other notable awards included the Order of Princess Olga, Second Class, presented to Svitlana Zachepila, the head of Bilenkivka village in Zaporizhzhia, and the Order of Princess Olga, Third Class, awarded to Olena Zhuk, the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council. The Order of Merit, Third Class, was given to several other local leaders across various regions.
The title of “Hero City of Ukraine” was established by President Zelensky on March 6, 2022, initially awarded to cities such as Volnovakha, Hostomel, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv. Subsequent awards were made to additional cities, with a total of 26 municipalities now holding this distinction.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded the honorary title of "Hero City of Ukraine" to several municipalities, recognizing their resilience during ongoing conflict. The ceremony also included state decorations for local officials, underscoring the government's support for communities affected by the war.