On the second anniversary of the liberation of the Kiev region from Russian invaders, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to the memory of the defenders who died during the defense and liberation of the village of Moshchun. About it UNN reports with reference to the Office of the President.
Today we remember a battle that took place two years ago, but which should never be forgotten. That time largely determined the fate of the Ukrainian state. It was here, in the battles for Moshchun, and nearby, in the battles for Gostomel, for Irpen, for other cities and villages of the Kiev region, that the fate of Ukraine and the Ukrainian capital was determined. Then it was possible not just to keep the Russian army out of Kiev. Then it became obvious to everyone in the world what Ukrainians are like and what Putin's Russia is
Zelensky noted that two years ago the world did not believe in Ukraine and did not understand the sinister essence of Russia, but saw the power of unity of our people, the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers.
"Everything changed then, in February – March 2022, precisely in such battles, in such manifestations of the heroism of our people and the baseness of our enemy," the president said.
The participants observed a minute of silence in memory of the soldiers who fell for the freedom of Ukraine. during the minute of silence, the names of 118 defenders who died in the battles for the village of Moshchun were announced.
Zelensky also presented state awards to Ukrainian defenders. In particular, the presidential badge "Cross of Military Merit" was awarded to a participant in the defense of Kiev, Lieutenant Colonel of the state border guard service of Ukraine Mykola Demjanjuk, who organized defense in the most dangerous and difficult direction of enemy advance in the Moschun area.
In addition, the head of state presented the order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky III degree, the order "for Courage" II and III degrees, the medal "for military service to Ukraine".