Four awards posthumously: city defenders honored in Mykolaiv

On the eve of City Day in Mykolaiv, a ceremony was held to present the mayor’s honorary award “For the Defense of Mykolaiv”. A total of 27 awards were presented to the city’s defenders and community residents, of which four were awarded posthumously.

The event began with a minute of silence. Attendees honored the defenders who gave their lives in the struggle for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The “For the Defense of Mykolaiv” award was established for citizens who made a significant contribution to the defense and preservation of the city at the start of the full-scale invasion. It has two classes:

• I degree — for servicemen and civilians who, with weapons in hand, defended Mykolaiv from Russian aggression in 2022;
• II degree — for civilians who support the city’s functioning and assist the military.

The decision to confer the award is made by a specially created commission. It carefully evaluates the contribution of each candidate.

Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych thanked the ceremony participants for their contribution to the city’s resilience and called to remember the price of freedom:

“Today we remember all the heroes who could have lived, raised children, and built up Ukraine, but whose lives were taken by Russia. Our mission is to pass on to the next generations an understanding of the true cost of independence and peace. On the eve of City Day we consciously do not plan loud celebrations or mass gatherings, because the country is at war. However, we have gathered to honor the people thanks to whom Mykolaiv was, is, and will be. Thank you to everyone: those who defended the city with weapons in hand in 2022 and continue to protect our skies, and to the civilians — doctors, teachers, law enforcement officers, volunteers, municipal workers — whose daily work keeps our city going. We remember each and every one, we remember our people in captivity and remind the world that we are waiting for them. We continue to work, hold on, and contribute each day to Victory. Glory to Ukraine!”

All 27 awards were distributed during the ceremony as follows:

• 16 awards of I degree, of which 4 were awarded posthumously;
• 10 awards of II degree;
• one Letter of Appreciation from the mayor.

Source: Mykolaiv City Council.

Previously we wrote:

• Flowers instead of loud celebrations: Mykolaiv began City Day with a minute of silence
• 43 heroes, seven posthumously: in Mykolaiv military personnel and rescuers were honored
• “For the Defense of Mykolaiv”: the mayor awarded volunteers. List of heroes
• Awards for the defense of the city were presented again in Mykolaiv
• “We must know these people”: presentation of the honorary award of the mayor “For the Defense of Mykolaiv” took place