Zelenskyy Honors Ukrainian Marines and Lists Key Battlefronts During Awards Ceremony

President Meets with Naval Infantry on Their Professional Day

According to Главком: On May 23, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ukrainian Marine Corps personnel to mark Ukraine's Marine Corps Day. During the ceremony, state awards, battle flags, and distinctions were presented. Zelenskyy observed a moment of silence to honor fallen soldiers and highlighted the heroism and dedication of marines who fought in Mariupol, southern Ukraine, Mykolaiv, Kherson, the Zaporizhzhia region, and Donbas. The president emphasized that marines are carrying out critical missions on frontlines including Kupiansk, Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and the Dnipro River area.

“Our marines fought for Mariupol, fought for southern Ukraine, defended Mykolaiv, defended Kherson, the Zaporizhzhia region, and took part in fierce battles in our Donbas. And this is always reliable, always brave, and in such a way that our other units can depend on the Ukrainian Marine Corps.” - Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy also thanked the service members for their loyalty to Ukraine and the families of marines for raising such heroes: “I thank you, warriors, and all your brothers-in-arms for this strength, this loyalty to Ukraine, loyalty to the Ukrainian people.”

Awards and Recognitions

Among those awarded the Order of the Golden Star were:

• the brother of the deceased Hero of Ukraine Viktor Korol (posthumously)
• Senior Sailor Andrii Yelkin
• Senior Sergeant Serhii Maar

Viktor Korol took part in reconnaissance operations in the Luhansk and Kherson regions, carried out dozens of successful missions on Kozatskyi Island in May 2024, including capturing an occupier from Russia's GRU and eliminating a group of seven Russian special forces. Tragically, he died on October 8, 2025, after being hit by an enemy drone during a rotation to the left bank of the Dnipro River.

Andrii Yelkin spent 114 days on combat positions during the defense of Myrnohrad, where he directed fire against a dozen and a half armored vehicles, seven mortars, and over 20 fortifications, ensuring the destruction of about a hundred occupiers. Serhii Maar, from May 2025 onward with the crew 'Valkyrie,' conducted reconnaissance and destruction missions in Donetsk and Dnipro regions, spending over 230 days on combat positions. The 'Valkyrie' crew carried out about 4,000 combat sorties, identifying over 1,800 enemy targets and destroying or hitting nearly 700 of them.

Also distinguished were Major Zorian Pelekh, who received the 'Cross of Combat Merit' for capturing heights near Horikhove and coordinating the repulsion of assaults near Novopavlivka, and Lieutenant Oleksandr Prus, whose assault team eliminated over 30 occupiers. The president awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, Third Class, as well as medals 'For Courage' of the First, Second, and Third Degrees.

Recognized units include:

• the 426th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems, which received a battle flag
• the 501st Separate Marine Battalion, awarded the distinction 'For Courage and Valor'
• the 34th Separate Marine Brigade, which received the honorary ribbon 'Borysfen'

Ukraine celebrates Marine Corps Day on May 23, established in 2018 to commemorate events of 1918 when Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi issued a decree to begin forming a marine brigade.

This event underscores the importance of Ukraine's Marine Corps amid the ongoing armed conflict, showcasing not only military successes but also honoring those who have died fighting for the country's independence. Awarding servicemen with medals and orders reflects recognition of their heroism and dedication during combat missions, as well as the importance of moral support for the families of the fallen. Such initiatives help boost morale and unite society during wartime.

In addition to honoring the marines, President Zelenskyy recently recognized the bravery of infantry soldiers, presenting them with the prestigious Hero of Ukraine titles and state awards. This ceremony underscored the vital contributions of all military branches in the ongoing conflict. To learn more about the recognition of these courageous infantrymen and their significant roles on the battlefield, visit the recent awards ceremony for infantry soldiers.