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Ukrainian combat awards in Tallinn

On April 13, 2023, the Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood (Estonia) hosted the presentation of an exhibition of awards of the independent Ukraine, which were established after the start of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022.

For the first time in Europe documents, author’s designs, industrial samples of military awards of Ukraine are presented. The centerpiece is the original award "Cross of Combat Merit", the second in the hierarchy of state awards after the title of the Hero of Ukraine, which was received for display especially for this exhibition from a decorated soldier.

The objects presented in Estonia demonstrate the process of formation of the military awards system of modern Ukraine. General Director of the war museum Yurii Savchuk, who is a member of the Commission of State Awards and Heraldry under the President of Ukraine and was personally involved in the realization of the awards presented at the exhibition, emphasized this in a video message at the opening ceremony. He informed that the work on the "Cross of Combat Merit" and "For the Defense of Ukraine" awards began at the initiative of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky back in semi-blockade Kyiv in March 2022, and the Decrees on their establishment were signed on May 5 and August 5 of the same year, respectively.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Estonia Maryana Betsa emphasized that Estonia has become a reliable partner of Ukraine in the struggle against the aggressor, and this support is extraordinary. Estonia is a country that truly stands by us.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the representatives of the Estonian Defense Forces, specifically the Estonian Defense Union (Kaitseliit), and Volodymyr Palamar, head of the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia.

We are sincerely grateful to our Estonian partners: Kateryna Lapinsh and Andrus Rumm for the opportunity to present our exhibition in one of the best European museums.

The exhibition of Ukrainian awards will be on display at the Tallinn Museum of Knighthood until September 2023.