President thanked military sailors for defense of Odesa region

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with the Ukrainian Navy and presented them with state awards.

According to the press service of the President's Office, the President thanked the sailors for protecting Odesa region and the entire southern coast of Ukraine from the threat of Russian landings, especially in the first year of a full-scale war.

"Ukraine has won its right to the Black Sea and pushed the Russian fleet into remote bays in the east. Ukraine has won control over Zmeinyi Island, and thus over shipping. Every day, our Navy servicemen, together with intelligence, together with the Security Service and other components of our defense, do everything possible to ensure the operation of Ukrainian ports and our Ukrainian routes at sea," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Order "Golden Star" to the Hero of Ukraine, Petty Officer of the First Article Denys Chumak. The crew of the landing boat under his command made dozens of combat sorties across the Dnipro River, providing transportation, fire cover and evacuation of landing units. Last June, the boat came under attack by Russian drones and was damaged. The petty officer was injured, but despite this, the crew under his leadership delivered ammunition and food to the left bank of the Dnipro River and landed the troops. After treatment, Denys Chumak repeatedly came under fire and was wounded, but each time he continued to perform combat missions and rescue his comrades.

In the center of Odesa,cadets of the Ukrainian Navy set a national record. The fact is that the Day of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a professional holiday for servicemen and women of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Since 2015, it has been celebrated on the first Sunday of July. This year it is July 6.

Кирило Бойко