Zelenskyy grants Zaluzhnyi and Budanov title of Hero of Ukraine
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov (RBC-Ukraine collage)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi and the head of the Defense Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov, according to the respective decrees published on the president's website.
Zaluzhnyi
"For outstanding personal merits in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree to confer the title of Hero of Ukraine with the presentation of the Order of the Golden Star to Valerii Fedorovych Zaluzhnyi - General," the document reads.
Budanov
As for Budanov, he received the highest award "for personal courage and heroism demonstrated in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people."
"I decree to confer the title of Hero of Ukraine with the presentation of the Order of the Golden Star to Kyrylo Oleksiyovych Budanov - Lieutenant General," the decree adds.
On February 8, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who had been leading the army since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, resigned. He was replaced by the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
On the Day of Military Intelligence of Ukraine, September 7, 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the head of the Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, with a new rank - Lieutenant General.
