The mother of seven children from the Mykolaiv brigade received the Order of Courage

The combat medic of Mykolaiv’s 123rd Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade, Kateryna Viktorivna Taran, has been awarded the Order of “For Courage,” 3rd Class. The 50-year-old service member holds the rank of junior sergeant and has saved her comrades’ lives many times.

The state award was granted by decree of the President of Ukraine dated October 2, 2026, No. 1020/2026. The President of Ukraine personally presented the medal to the medic.

She serves in a unit operating unmanned aerial systems. Despite being wounded twice during her service, she returned to combat missions after treatment.

The medic stood combat watch at infantry positions both before and after she was wounded. She often has to treat the wounded under direct fire, where the speed and confidence of a medic’s actions can determine whether service members’ lives can be saved.

Alongside her service, she is raising seven children. Her husband is also currently defending Ukraine.

Previously, we wrote:

• “I was removed without warning,” “They crushed and humiliated me”: Commander Makuha, who built up the 123rd Brigade, leaves his post
• Major Denys Hipik takes command of Mykolaiv’s 123rd Drone Brigade
• Mykolaiv’s 123rd Brigade carries out a unique operation with a robotic system on the Kinburn Peninsula
• On their own land: why fighters of the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade have an advantage over the enemy
• After demining in Halytsynivka, the first pine and maple trees were planted at the sites of burned-out areas