On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, I presented state awards to our warriors and civilians. I handed the awards to the families of those who were honored posthumously. I also presented battle flags and ribbons of the honorary distinction “For Courage and Bravery” to military units. Among those honored posthumously were Junior Lieutenant Nazarii Hryntsevych (“Grenka”), head of the Platsdarm search organization Oleksii Yukov, and school student Stepan Chubenko, who was killed by Russian militants. I also honored shooting champion Olena Kostevych, Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Superhumans CEO Olga Rudnieva, artist Anatoly Kryvolap, and singer Zlata Ognevich. I want to thank each and every person who makes a personal contribution to ensuring that Ukraine not only preserves but steadily strengthens its independence. Thank you for being there for Ukraine and for making our country proud of you. And I ask that we honor the memory of those of our people who, defending Ukraine, defending our blue-and-yellow colors, and defending our independence, gave their lives. Gave their lives so that Ukraine could live.