President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to members of the Security Service of Ukraine’s Alfa Special Operations Centre, including three Hero of Ukraine titles.

The awards ceremony took place to mark the 32nd anniversary of the unit’s formation.

‘The servicemen of Alfa rank first in terms of combat results on the front line. The statistics prove your supremacy – in striking blows against the russian occupiers. This year, it is your supremacy that has held firm month after month. And this is extremely significant; it serves as a model for many of our other units. The majority of the Security Service of Ukraine’s long-range operations are carried out by Alfa. And these are not only spectacular but also effective operations – often asymmetric, highly creative and always just – just responses to russia’s war against our people,’ said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

State awards were presented to 37 servicemen from the SSU Alfa Special Operations Centre. In addition to the title of Hero of Ukraine, the service personnel were awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 1st and 2nd classes; the Order For Courage, 1st–3rd classes; the Order of Princess Olga, 2nd class; and the Medal For Impeccable Service, 3rd class.

Acting Head of the Security Service, Major General Yevheniy Khmara, presented the service personnel with departmental awards. He thanked all staff of the Special Operations Centre who are carrying out missions on the front line and across all areas of operations.

‘The unit is responsible for up to 20 per cent of all enemy infantry casualties. Enemy equipment is being destroyed on an industrial scale. Taken together, this not only leads to strategic achievements on the front line but also inspires Ukrainian society. Alfa operates as a single, well-coordinated mechanism, with everyone in their rightful place, and this yields tremendous results,’ noted Yevheniy Khmara.

Separately, the SSU Chief called for honouring the memory of the fallen heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine and its independence. He also emphasised the need to support their families, as caring for the families of fallen defenders is a shared duty of the state and society.

‘It of the utmost importance that we honour the memory of our servicemen. We must demonstrate this through professionalism, honour and our fight. We shall keep rank, no matter what challenges lie ahead,’ concluded Yevheniy Khmara, Acting Head of the Security Service.