During a recent working trip to the Lviv region, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited one of the hospitals treating wounded defenders who fought in the Bakhmut area.
The Head of State was given a tour of the facility and took time to speak with the injured servicemen and their families. He inquired about their well-being and offered words of encouragement.
The soldiers, representing different branches of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, shared their personal stories, recounting the challenges they faced on the frontlines and their determination to defend their nation.
“Thank you for your service, for the heroic defense of our homeland,” the President said. “I wish you a speedy recovery.”
The visit served as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by Ukrainian soldiers, who have put their lives on the line to safeguard their country’s independence and protect its citizens.
“Our wounded soldiers deserve the best possible care and support,” said President Zelenskyy.” We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that they receive it.”
President Zelenskyy presented state awards to the recovering servicemen. Mortar operators, riflemen, anti-aircraft gunners, grenade launcher operators, and combat medics received the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky of the III degree, and the Orders “For Courage” of the III degree.
“This medal represents the collective efforts and sacrifices of all Ukrainian soldiers. It is a symbol of our unity and resilience in the face of an inhuman enemy. President Zelenskyy’s recognition reinforces our determination,” said an unnamed infantry Corporal regarding his award.
In order to provide highly specialized medical care to Ukrainian defenders, the Lviv hospital had established partnerships with leading specialists from the best clinics in the United States and the United Kingdom. The cooperative agreements helped introduce modern, minimally invasive, and high-tech surgical interventions in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery.
It provided Ukrainian doctors with training in the latest methods of rehabilitation medicine. The Lviv medical service staff also regularly conducted tactical medicine classes with active military personnel.
The Order of Danylo Halytsky was awarded to representatives of the Medical Division of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by President Zelenskyy, for providing medical care to the soldiers.
“I want to thank you for your work and service, especially this year. It was the most difficult challenge for everyone. Thank you for helping so many of our soldiers, our heroes, get back on their feet,” the President said.
President Zelenskyy emphasized that the state saw and highly appreciated the work of medics, who are credited with saving countless lives.
“I wish you all good health and a quick victory,” added President Zelenskyy.
Series: Return to Ukraine
- Return to Ukraine: A trauma loop of travel from Milwaukee to a country still at war a year later
- From Weddings to War: How Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov photograph Ukraine's daily horrors
- Being Friends of Angels: The Milwaukee nonprofit saving lives and offering hope in Ukraine
- Mayors of Milwaukee and Irpin expand Sister City cooperation after visit by nonprofit delegation
- Interview with Tom Barrett: U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg reflects on forging ties with Irpin
- Wisconsin Ukrainians host annual fundraising picnic to support homeland on 500th day of war
- Advanced Wireless to donate 840 access points to rebuild Irpin's citywide Wi-Fi network
- Children of Irpin begin planning mural for Mitchell Airport to showcase Sister City friendship
- Irpin is not forgotten: Residents thank Milwaukee Independent for reporting on their "Hero City"
- Milwaukee photojournalist on assignment in Kyiv during July 2 Russian drone strike targeting civilians
- Russian cruise missile attack kills residents far from front lines in Western Ukraine city of Lviv
- Ukraine arrests man accused of directing Russian ballistic missile strike on Kramatorsk pizza parlor
- Milwaukee offers Ukrainian refugee family life-saving treatment for son's genetic condition
- Nikita Pirnach: Irpin student hopes to help his country after finishing education in Milwaukee
- Sick children wait for overseas medical treatments as a new generation is born in Ukraine during war
- Iryna Suslova: The superwoman saving Ukrainian children abducted by Russia
- How a group of Ukrainian mothers, wives, and daughters are distributing vital humanitarian aid
- Freeing Freddie: Educational program aims to reduce PTSD for Ukraine's war-weary children
- The trauma of living: When being killed is the preferred choice to being disfigured from battle
- President Zelenskyy offers gratitude and awards to wounded soldiers while visiting Lviv Hospital
- Former Vice President Mike Pence visits Irpin during unannounced campaign trip to Kyiv
- Military Hospitals provide vital care for Ukrainian soldiers in need of hope and healing
- Combat surgeons pioneer advances in maxillofacial reconstruction of Ukraine's injured heroes
- Milwaukee donors cover cost of reconstructive surgery for American volunteer wounded in battle
- In their own words: Listening to the Voices of Children talk about their experiences from war
- Traumatized by War: Children of Ukraine carry on after losing parents, homes, and innocence
- Widespread Torture: U.N. report documents Russia's systematic executions of Ukrainian civilians
- Wisconsin volunteers sort and pack donated medical supplies for use in Ukraine's hospitals
- Lviv warehouse serves as vital link in medical supply chain from Milwaukee to frontlines
- Aid from Milwaukee is providing internally displaced people in Ukraine with food and clothing
- Iryna Pletnyova: How the city of Uman transformed into a hub for refugees fleeing war
- Bombs in the night: Why children in Uman are still traumatized by Russia's missile attack
- School Bunkers: When a national flag becomes a memorial to dead Ukrainian students
- Hasidic life in Uman: A journey across Ukraine to the Tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
- Tetiana Storozhko: Being a witness to the history of Roma culture in Ukraine
- Remembering Oskar Schindler: A photojournalist’s diary from the streets of Jewish Kraków
The Presidential Office of Ukraine
Milwaukee Independent has reported on Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine since it began on February 24, 2022. In May of 2022, Milwaukee Independent was the first news organization from Wisconsin to report from Milwaukee’s Sister City of Irpin after its liberation. That work has since been recognized with several awards for journalistic excellence. Between late June and early July of 2023, Milwaukee Independent staff returned to Ukraine for a second assignment to report on war after almost a year. The editorial team was embedded with a Milwaukee-based nonprofit, Friends of Be an Angel, on a humanitarian aid mission across Ukraine. For several weeks, Milwaukee Independent documented the delivery of medical supplies to military and civilian hospitals, and was a witness to historic events of the war as they unfolded.
Return to Ukraine: Reports about a humanitarian mission from Milwaukee after a year of war
