On December 27, the Donetsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after Solovyanenko hosted an awards ceremony for servicemen of the Republic, the press service of the Head of the DPR reports.
For the feats and having distinguished themselves in the battles to defend the DPR, and the courage and fortitude shown, 17 military, including former ones, were awarded state awards — the 3rd and 4th degree St. George Cross. Three defenders of the Republic were awarded posthumously.
Denis Pushilin, the Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, presented awards to the servicemen and family members and close friends of the deceased military personnel.
“These awards are no ordinary, these are awards for 2014 and 2015. I would like to present these awards today, because it is important for us that everyone be singed out with an award. This is important, of course, for you, but it is even more important for our descendants.
This is what enabled us to make the right choice in 2014. Because before that we could talk to our grandfathers and fathers who had braved through the Great Patriotic War, we could hold their awards, which gave us strength.
Of course, I would like our children and descendants to never experience this in the future, to never face war. But, unfortunately, no one is proof against anything. We never imagined either that in 2014 we would see full-scale war, that aviation, heavy artillery would be used against us. But it happened. Nevertheless, our patriotism, self-awareness, and self-identification enabled us to take a correct, unequivocal position and defend our land.
We alone are responsible for our future, for the future of our descendants. And we have been creating this future for the past six years,” Denis Pushilin addressed the audience, and then held an awarding ceremony.
“I once again sincerely congratulate you. Years roll by. Someone remains in the ranks of the DPR Armed Forces, someone is a civilian now. But the hardest thing always is to award posthumously. Every name brings pain to the heart. These fellows at the cost of their life defended the Donbass land, their homeland and the future of their descendants. And it is always hard to look in the eyes of their parents and loved ones.
The Donetsk People’s Republic must make every effort — I’m sure this will be the case — to commemorate our heroes. This is important for our Republic. This is important for our descendants. Thank you very much. Once again, I congratulate all those awarded,” the Head of State said.
Original article in Russian: https://denis-pushilin.ru/news/glava-dnr-denis-pushilin-otmetil-nagradami-voennosluzhashhih-za-podvigi-v-2014-i-2015-godah/