Yulia Svyrydenko hands out awards to Ukrainian rescue workers and police officers

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko presented state awards to rescue workers and police officers from different regions of Ukraine who are selflessly doing their job in wartime.

The Head of Government emphasised that Ukrainian rescuers arrive at sites while they are still smouldering after enemy strikes. They work in the cold, amid fire and smoke, quietly and responsibly doing their job.

"Every morning after the most terrible shelling, we wake up to news of lives saved, fires extinguished, and rubble cleared — all thanks to them.

Today, I had the honour of talking to and awarding rescuers and police officers from different regions of Ukraine — from Kyiv city as well as Kyiv, Cherkasy, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, and Chernihiv regions," said Yulia Svyrydenko.

She noted that it is important for us to know and remember who is responsible for the warmth and light in our homes, even in times like these: “These are the unarmed heroes who risk their health and lives every day to help people. It is so valuable to hear the stories of rescuers.”

Oleksandr has been working in Kherson region for many years, dealing with the aftermath of the explosion at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. He now heads a new unit — the State Emergency Service's energy detachment — and coordinates the supply of backup heat and light throughout the country. He says that for the first 1.5 days after the shelling of Kyiv, rescuers were working without rest to get the backup power sources up and running. Now the work is organised, and they work in shifts.

Vladyslav from Bila Tserkva and Taras from Zhytomyr region ensure the smooth operation of high-power generators for residential areas on the left bank of Kyiv. They shared that the work of equipment and people is significantly complicated by the freezing temperatures. But they have already developed protocols even in such conditions.

Valentyn, a psychologist with the State Emergency Service, is on duty at the Points of Invincibility in the Darnytskyi district. He says that it is very gratifying when people thank the rescuers and children come to help in the tents. It warms and comforts them, because the shifts in the cold last around the clock.

"There are thousands of such heroes in the State Emergency Service — their heroic work enables the country, all of us, to continue living, so that the enemy cannot sow panic and despair," emphasised Yulia Svyrydenko.

The Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all the rescuers who are working to eliminate the consequences of constant russian strikes on residential buildings and energy facilities, and who are helping, together with energy workers, to bring light back to homes. Thanks to such courageous people, Ukraine is holding on and will surely prevail.