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Zelenskyy takes part in events to mark anniversary of heroic defense of Okhtyrka
KYIV. March 28 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Okhtyrka in Sumy region to take part in the events on the occasion of the anniversary of the heroic defense of the town, the presidential press service said on Tuesday.
“In our Okhtyrka, we honor the true Cossack courage and indomitability of our people, our heroes, all Ukrainian men and women. Those who fought here for their city, for their land, and thus for our entire state. […] The state border of Ukraine is not far from here. The border which no tyrant can erase. Ukrainians will live here, on their land, in their cities and villages,” the head of state said in his speech.
He also stressed that Ukraine will never forgive the crimes committed by Russia on Ukrainian soil.
“We will bring to justice all murderers from the Russian Federation, terrorists and the aggressor state itself. And we will not leave a single wound inflicted by this war on the body of our state. We will rebuild absolutely everything that was destroyed. And we will do everything to revive all these cities and villages,” the president said.
The attendees honored the memory of all those who gave their lives for the independence of Ukraine with a moment of silence.
Zelenskyy also honored Okhtyrka with the hero city award.
“It is a great honor for me to confer the honorary title of Hero City, Defender City, Victor City upon Okhtyrka today,” he said.
Okhtyrka Mayor Pavlo Kuzmenko received the award from the hands of the president.
Zelenskyy also took part in the ceremony of awarding the participants in the defense of Okhtyrka. Orders and medals were awarded to servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as well as four civilians, one of whom was awarded posthumously.
As reported, on March 25, 2022, Zelenskyy assigned Okhtyrka with the Hero City title.
On March 21, 2023, the president of Ukraine approved the decree on the honorary titled of the Hero City of Ukraine and the drawing of the honorary insignia Hero City of Ukraine.