Chief of the General Staff received an honorary award from the president.

President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded seven military personnel with the "Cross of Combat Merit" award on the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. Among the awardees is the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Anatolii Bargylevych. The corresponding decree was published on the president's website.

Zelensky awarded the following military personnel:

• Lieutenant General Anatolii Vladyslavovych Bargylevych;
• Lieutenant Colonel Yevhenii Mykhailovych Bespalov;
• Senior Lieutenant Dmytro Mykhailovych Lebidiev;
• Major Ihor Serhiiovych Rak;
• Junior Lieutenant Ihor Antonovych Stoyanovskyi;
• Senior Soldier Tymofii Vitaliiovych Kharchenko;
• Major Vladyslav Anatoliiovych Chupryna.

Let us remind you that on October 1, Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. This day allows for honoring the soldiers who defend the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine. In addition to modern heroes who defend the borders from the aggressor, veterans of World War II and our Cossacks who fought for independence are also honored.

On the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, Zelensky also awarded the title "Hero of Ukraine" to 19 military personnel, 10 of whom posthumously. In Kyiv, traffic and pedestrians stopped at 9:00 to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.

Also, "Ukrposhta" issued a charity postage stamp "Under the Protection of the Mother of God", dedicated to the Day of Defenders of Ukraine.