---
title: "Heroes of Ukraine: Zelenskyy Awards Nine Defenders, Eight Posthumously"
description: "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees conferring the title of Hero of Ukraine to nine defenders. Eight of them were awarded posthumously for courage and heroism. 🇺🇦🎖️"
date: 2026-06-29T12:23:51.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/heroes-of-ukraine-zelenskyy-awards-nine-defenders-eight-posthumously
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Heroes of Ukraine: Zelenskyy Awards Nine Defenders, Eight Posthumously

![Order of the Gold Star of Ukraine Hero and certificate in velvet case — award conferred posthumously to a defender of the nation](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/29/zelen-skij-nagradil-geroev-ukrainy-8-posmertno/zelen-skij-nagradil-geroev-ukrainy-8-posmertno-1.webp)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a package of decrees conferring the highest state award — the title of Hero of Ukraine with the presentation of the Order of the Golden Star — to nine representatives of the Defense Forces and law enforcement agencies. The documentation, published on the official web portal of the head of state, includes decrees numbered 551–559/2026. The issuance of these orders coincided with commemorative events marking the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine.

### List of Posthumous Awardees

Eight of the nine recipients were awarded the highest distinction posthumously. The award is motivated by personal courage, heroism, and selfless service to the Ukrainian people, demonstrated while defending the country's state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The following individuals have been entered into the registry of Heroes of Ukraine:

- Ihor Hryban — senior soldier;

- Arsen Yurchenko — senior lieutenant;

- Vladislav Shapoval — captain;

- Sergiy Matviyevsky — lieutenant;

- Oleh Hrama — captain;

- Andriy Markiv — lieutenant;

- Aleksandr Kuralakh — police major;

- Roman Zelenksyy — senior police lieutenant.

In accordance with the legal procedure for processing award sheets, the Orders of the Golden Star will be presented to the close relatives of the deceased servicemen and National Police officers during official ceremonies.

### Living Award

The ninth recipient of the order in this cycle is a serviceman of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, to whom the title of Hero of Ukraine was conferred while alive. Information regarding his identity is not disclosed in open sources, which complies with current information security regulations.

### Restrictions on Publishing Details

The detailing of operational and tactical circumstances of the heroic deeds, as well as the indication of specific units and directions of task execution in official publications of the President's Office, is traditionally minimized. This is done in accordance with measures to protect the personal data of participants in hostilities and information security requirements.

### Award Status

In accordance with the Statute of the title of Hero of Ukraine, approved by presidential decree, this state award is the highest degree of distinction. It is conferred upon citizens of Ukraine for performing an outstanding heroic act related to the defense of the state.