A person in a uniform with a Ukrainian flag insignia on his arm was proven smoking a cigarette and saying ‘Glory to Ukraine’ earlier than being shot useless.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posthumously bestowed the “Hero of Ukraine” honor on a soldier who defiantly mentioned “Glory to Ukraine” earlier than being shot useless in a volley of gunfire, an incident proven in a video posted on social media.
Ukraine’s navy, on its Telegram channel, confirmed the identification of the soldier as Oleksandr Matsievskyy – a sniper with a unit from the northern area of Chernihiv.
“At present, I’ve bestowed the title of Hero of Ukraine on soldier Oleksandr Matsievskyy,” Zelenskyy mentioned in his nightly video tackle on Sunday.
“A person that each one Ukrainians would know. A person who might be endlessly remembered for his bravery, for his confidence in Ukraine, and for his ‘Glory to Ukraine.’”
‘Extremely courageous’
The person in a uniform with a Ukrainian flag insignia on his arm was proven smoking a cigarette and saying “Slava Ukrainian” earlier than being shot useless. A voice off digicam then says in Russian, “Die b**ch.”
Germany’s Bild newspaper mentioned its reporter spoke to Matsievekiy’s mom, Paraska, who mentioned: “He stood there unarmed however proud to be Ukrainian. He was at all times extremely courageous. At this second, the one weapon he might defend himself with was to say: ‘Slava Ukraini.’”
The time period “Glory to Ukraine” is greater than a century outdated however got here into basic use after Ukraine received independence from Soviet rule.
It has been in widespread use as a greeting through the conflict, at all times drawing the response “Heroyam Slava” – “Glory to the Heroes”.
