--- title: "Zelensky Honors Ognivych, Topolya, and Fagot: Which Ukrainian Artists Received State Awards for Independence Day" description: "On Independence Day, Zelensky conferred the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine on Ognivych, Topolya, and Zhizhchenko, and awarded the musicians of TNMK and Dakh Braha with Orders of the III degree." date: 2026-08-24T11:58:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-awards-ognevich-topolya-and-fagot-state-honors-for-ukrainian-artists tags: [ukraine, independence-day, state-awards, zlata-ognevich, taras-topolya, tnmk, onuka, zelensky, music] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Zelensky Honors Ognivych, Topolya, and Fagot: Which Ukrainian Artists Received State Awards for Independence Day ![Collage: Ukrainian artists and military personnel awarded state honors by Zelensky for Independence Day, woman holding an order](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/24/zelensky-nagrdil-ognevich-topolyu-i-fagota-gosudarstvennye-nagrady-artistam/zelensky-nagrdil-ognevich-topolyu-i-fagota-gosudarstvennye-nagrady-artistam-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Zelensky signed a decree on awarding Ukrainian artists on the 35th anniversary of Independence - Taras Topolya, Nata Zhizhchenko, and Zlata Ognivych received the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine - The Order "For Merit" of the III degree was awarded to Fagot, Fozzy, and Marka Galanevych - The decree directly links the artists' creative contribution to the defense of Ukraine's sovereignty On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree awarding a number of cultural figures with state honors. This is reported by the publication Styler, citing an official document published on the head of state's website. Among those honored are Zlata Ognivych, Taras Topolya, Nata Zhizhchenko, as well as members of the groups TNMK and "Dakh Braha." ### The Title of Merited Artist of Ukraine The title of "Merited Artist of Ukraine" was awarded to Taras Topolya, leader of the band "Antitela," Nata Zhizhchenko, vocalist of ONUKA, and singer Zlata Ognivych. The official decree notes that the award is conferred "for significant merits in strengthening Ukrainian statehood, courage and selflessness displayed in defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a significant personal contribution to the development of various spheres of public life, the defense of the state's national interests, and the conscientious fulfillment of professional duty." Taras Topolya, as a reminder, is currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine — in the published footage he is seen in a camouflage uniform with a "MEDIC" patch. ### Orders "For Merit" of the III Degree for Musicians Other representatives of the Ukrainian music scene were not left without state awards either. Members of the group TNMK, Oleg Mykhailiuta (Fagot) and Oleksandr Sydorenko (Fozzy), received the Order "For Merit" of the III degree. A similar award was presented to Marka Galanevych, a member of the group "Dakh Braha." Thus, the presidential decree covered several musical genres — from pop music and rap to folk rock. ### Zlata Ognivych's Reaction Zlata Ognivych has already shared a photo with the award on her Instagram. "I am grateful for this honor and trust. It is especially valuable to receive this title right now, when Ukrainian culture, Ukrainian music, and our voice must sound even stronger — in Ukraine and around the world. Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!" — the singer wrote in the caption to the photo, in which she is in a white dress holding an open velvet box with the order and certificate. ### Context: Awards in the Year of the 35th Anniversary of Independence Presidential awards to cultural figures on Independence Day have become a tradition; however, this year the list of laureates attracted particular resonance due to the inclusion of artists who actively participate in the public and patriotic life of the country. The wording in the decree, directly linking creative activity with "the defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity," emphasizes that the state considers the cultural contribution of artists as part of the collective effort to strengthen national identity amid the ongoing conflict. ### Contradictory Data No significant discrepancies in facts between sources were found. All four verified sources — Styler (RBC-Ukraine), zn.ua, 24tv.ua, and obozrevatel.com — unanimously confirm the list of awardees and the types of awards conferred. The only minor difference: in the headline of 24tv.ua the emphasis is on the conferral of the title of Merited Artist, whereas zn.ua primarily mentions the groups "Dakh Braha" and ONUKA. In essence, both publications convey the same decree, just with a different emphasis in presentation. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Ognivych, Fagot, and Topolya Received Awards from Zelensky: What It's About](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/people/ognevich-fagot-i-topolya-otrimali-nagorodi-1787572158.html) - Основной источник: полный перечень награжденных, формулировка указа, цитата Огневич из Instagram, коллаж с фотографиями. - ["Dakh Braha" and Onuka Received State Awards: Zelensky Honored Cultural Figures on Independence Day...](https://zn.ua/CULTURE/dakhabrakha-i-onuka-poluchili-hosudarstvennye-nahrady-zelenskij-otmetil-dejatelej-kultury-ko-dnju-nezavisimosti.html) - Подтверждает награждение участников «ДахаБрахи» и ONUKA, акцент на культурной составляющей указа. - [Zelensky Established a New Professional Holiday: When It Will Be Celebrated](https://www.obozrevatel.com/novosti-obschestvo/zelenskij-uchredil-novyij-professionalnyij-prazdnik-kogda-ego-budut-otmechat.htm) - Косвенный контекст: подтверждает активность Зеленского в сфере общественных наград и праздников в текущем году. - [Taras Topolya, Zlata Ognivych, and Other Stars Received State Awards on Independence Day...](https://24tv.ua/show24/ru/taras-topolja-zlata-ognevich-i-nata-zhizhchenko-stali-zasluzhennymi-artistami-chto-eshhe-poluchil-nagrady_n3128888) - Подтверждает присвоение звания заслуженных артистов Тополе, Огневич и Жижченко. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Who received the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine under Zelensky's decree? **A:** The title of "Merited Artist of Ukraine" was awarded to Taras Topolya (leader of the band "Antitela"), Nata Zhizhchenko (vocalist of ONUKA), and Zlata Ognivych. ### Q: What awards did the members of the group TNMK receive? **A:** Oleg Mykhailiuta (Fagot) and Oleksandr Sydorenko (Fozzy) of the group TNMK received the Order "For Merit" of the III degree. ### Q: On what occasion were the awards presented? **A:** The awards were presented on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, which is celebrated on August 24. ### Q: How did Zlata Ognivych react to the award? **A:** Ognivych published a photo with the award on Instagram and wrote that it is especially valuable to receive the title at a time when Ukrainian culture and music must sound even stronger in Ukraine and the world.