Yesterday(August 19, 2026), amidst all the political upheavals and news of scandals as well as yet another murderous Russian ballistic missile raid on Kyiv, President Zelenskyy was still on point making sure that a great selfless and exemplary deed was acknowledged and rightfully rewarded. President Zelenskyy awarded Ukraine’s highest honor, the Hero of Ukraine, to Junior lieutenant Vladyslav “Teacher” Polskyi. By now assault unit commander Polskyi’s selfless exploit in battle for quickly jumping into a truck and racing to rescue his wounded troops, is well-known and fast becoming the stuff of legend. Here’s the full statement from the office of the president:
The President Awarded the Title of Hero of Ukraine to Vladyslav Polskyi, Who Rescued Two Seriously Wounded Brothers-in-Arms
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to Vladyslav Polskyi (call sign Teacher), commander of an assault company of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment CODE 9.2.
After successfully completing a combat mission in the Derhachi–Kozacha Lopan area of the Kharkiv region, two Ukrainian warriors came under attack by enemy drones and sustained serious injuries. To evacuate them, their brothers-in-arms sent a ground robotic system. But when the defenders were ready to be evacuated, the occupiers attacked them with an FPV drone and disabled the unmanned ground vehicle. The wounded warriors were left in an open area, where they could be attacked again at any moment. Without losing time, assault company commander Vladyslav Polskyi decided to go for them himself. He drove both warriors out of the battlefield, saving their lives.
The Head of State highlighted Vladyslav Polskyi’s heroism, his swift and courageous response in a combat situation, and his rescue of the lives of our warriors.
“This undoubtedly heroic event took place on August 15 – Vladyslav used a pickup truck to rescue two guys from an area within range of Russian drones. An outstanding story. Great courage. And an example of a commander’s action worth following. People must be taken care of. Thank you, Vladyslav!” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
More on commander Polskyi’s exploits and award here(with the now viral photos):
Ukraine’s highest title now belongs to a man who went where a robot couldn’t.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1538611058281579&set=pcb.1538611164948235
This honor places Vladyslav Polsky in rarefied august company including his boss. the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Mykhailo Drapatyi, for conspicuous acts of bravery on behalf of Ukrainia. There are of course other Hero of Ukraine awardees currently serving. And countless other such heroes whose exploits we would not know about. To the latter, the unknown heroes of Ukraine I salute your eternal memory … HEROYAM SLAVA!!
With ADAPTIVE and INDOMITABLE sons and daughters like Vladyslav “Teacher” Polskyi, Ukraina(our land) will come out of Putin and Russia’s depraved revanchist war Victorious.
SLAVA UKRAINI ! PEREMOHA(Victory) !!
We’ll get straight to the point: The financial hardships that Daily Kos is facing this year are tough.
We continue to be paywall-free. We continue to be supported by our readers, not billionaires or corporations. But we need to bring in more revenue. We are leaning on our community more than ever to help make ends meet.
Power matters.
Was this story worth reading?
Recommending and sharing stories helps us decide which stories are most important to show our readers.