On the eve of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence, the Mayor of the capital, Vitali Klitschko, held an award ceremony where 61 defenders and defenderesses received the distinction of the Kyiv City Head — the 'Honor. Glory. State' medals. The capital's head reported this in his Telegram channel, as cited by RBC-Ukraine. In the published footage, a group of military personnel and their family members can be seen; some are holding bouquets of flowers, and one of the awardees — with a prosthetic leg and using crutches — which underscores the nature of the injuries received and the personal contribution to the city's defense.
Award Criteria and Geography of Combat Operations
According to Klitschko, the distinction was awarded to those who conducted combat operations for the freedom and independence of Ukraine in Donbas, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions, liberated Kyiv region, and defended the capital itself. The Mayor emphasized that it is thanks to the defenders and defenderesses that Kyiv residents have the opportunity to live, work, raise children, develop the city, and continue to help the front. To conclude, he thanked everyone who protects the country and expressed eternal glory to those who gave their lives for it.
Scale of Frontline Support: Drones and Funding
Klitschko stated that Kyiv systematically supports the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Since the beginning of 2026, the capital's community has transferred more than 52,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other equipment to various brigades. As previously reported, the capital regularly allocates funds for the purchase of UAVs, radio electronic warfare systems, and other equipment: in the previous, 2025 year, more than 12 billion hryvnias were directed to the needs of the Defense Forces, and in the first seven months of 2026 — another approximately 5 billion hryvnias.
Program to Assist Those Returned from the Front
The Mayor made a separate emphasis on supporting those who returned from the front. Within the framework of the city program 'Support for Kyiv Residents – Defenders and Defenderesses of Ukraine', the capital has already directed more than 1 billion hryvnias for material assistance, car compensation, treatment, rehabilitation, education, and restoration. Thus, the city policy is built as a continuous cycle: from supplying the frontline to the subsequent integration and rehabilitation of veterans.
Context: Liberated from Captivity
Additional context is provided by information that since 2022, 426 Kyiv defenders have been liberated from captivity, who were also awarded medals. This figure reflects the general scale of losses and efforts to return prisoners of war and does not replace the figure of 61 awardees at the specific ceremony for the Independence Anniversary, but rather complements the picture of the city's systematic work with the veteran community.
