The President of Ukraine has identified 10 cities that have been awarded the ‘Hero City of Ukraine’ title. Each of them fought for independence, defended their homes and people. Each of them lost their lives and gained freedom... Find out which cities were honoured by the President of Ukraine, what makes them special and what attracts them

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The honorary award ‘Hero City of Ukraine’ was introduced by the President of Ukraine on 6 March 2022 to recognise the resilience of spirit and heroism of citizens in the war against the invader country.

The cities awarded include Volnovakha, Gostomel, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kherson, Chernihiv, Irpin, Mykolaiv, and Okhtyrka.

According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 111/2022, the purpose of this decision is to honour ‘the feat, mass heroism and resilience of citizens displayed in the defence of their cities during the repulsion of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine’.

Volnovakha

Volnovakha is located in the south of Donetsk Oblast on one of the highest points of the Azov Upland. The city's history dates back to the 1880s, when the Catherine's Railway was being built. Volnovakha was one of the first cities to receive the honorary title of Hero City of Ukraine. Currently, the city is almost completely destroyed and residents have been evacuated. Since 11 March 2022, Volnovakha has been under occupation.

Gostomel

Gostomel has been a hero city for many centuries. The first written mention of it dates back to 1494, and during the times of Bohdan Khmelnytsky and the National Liberation War, it was an important military point. Nowadays, Gostomel is best known for the Antonov airport and the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Mriya, located nearby. In 2022, Gostomel became one of the first frontline areas where ordinary Ukrainians resisted the Russian invasion. The Mriya was damaged in the fighting, but we believe that it will soon fly again and the freedom of the Ukrainian people will be reborn with it.

Mariupol

The defence of Mariupol was one of the longest and bloodiest of the full-scale invasion. It lasted 86 days, from 24 February to 20 May 2022. Russian troops outnumbered Ukrainian forces by 4 to 1. Civilians suffered the greatest losses - about 100,000 local residents died during the siege. Mariupol is a symbol of resilience and indomitability, of the fight for freedom to the last, of faith in the Victory and in one's people.

You can learnmore about the defence of Mariupol in 2014 and 2024 on Visit Ukraine.

Kharkiv

40 kilometres to the Russian border... The occupying forces planned to capture the city by midnight on 25 February. At 23:00, they were 500 metres from the city. No one knows what happened next. The Russian troops did not pass that night or the next. Some subversive groups were driven out of the town during March. On the morning of 25 February, the city, where more than 50% of people spoke Russian two days ago, became Ukrainian-speaking. And now you will hear ‘Have a nice day’ and ‘Congratulations’ at the train station. On 24 February, Kharkiv residents, who had always been known for their cohesion, became one family. They rescued complete strangers from shelling, carried someone's pets in their bags, and helped pensioners move to shelters. Constant shelling, explosions, possible mines, blackouts - but Kharkiv residents are returning to their hometown. After all, there is nothing better for them than Sumy Street, Derzhprom and Sarzhin Yar.

If you want to learn more about Kharkiv and see all its secrets, follow the link.

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Kherson

A city that stretches over the Dnipro River. A city known for its unique watermelon variety and arid climate. A city near which the legendary Chornobaivka is located. Residents of the city, which came under occupation in the first days of the war, repeatedly opposed the Russian authorities, demonstrating the free Ukrainian spirit. All the horrors of war came through Kherson - occupation, explosions, flooding as a result of the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. At the same time, there were constant rallies for Ukraine, underground activities against the Russian oppressors, and cooperation with Ukrainian defenders. Everyone knows that Kherson deserves the title of ‘Hero City of Ukraine’. The city's residents remember how they fought for it.

Learn more about the hero city of Kherson on Visit Ukraine.

Chernihiv

Every Ukrainian knows the entrance to Chernihiv. It was in this region that Russian tanks were ‘driving backwards’ under the pressure of local residents who were attacking them with their bare hands. Chernihiv bore the brunt of the attack. The volunteers of Chernihiv deserve special attention. Charitable foundations, volunteer organisations, philanthropists... Each of them made extraordinary efforts to de-occupy the city and restore it.

Chernihiv is the capital of Sivershchyna. Unique examples of architecture and historical heritage have been preserved here even after the occupation. The Children's Palace, the town hall, many churches with Gothic architecture... When you look at it for the first time, you won't even realise that the city has seen the horrors of war with your own eyes.

Irpin

Irpin was one of the first cities in the Kyiv region to be hit in March 2022. In the Hero City of Irpin, the main tourist attraction is the cemetery of equipment that was destroyed during the battles for the territory. There are still positions here that changed hands in 2022.

Irpin was founded back in 1648. Together with Gostomel, it played a significant role in the National Liberation War, fighting for the freedom of the Ukrainian people for centuries. Irpin reached its peak of development during the construction of the Kyiv-Kovel railway, when it became a significant transport hub. Nowadays, the period of development and prosperity of the hero city is almost nothing like the horrors of war. Before the first sight of a burnt Russian tank...

Mykolaiv

The hero city and its mayor are known throughout Ukraine and far beyond. Mykolaiv withstood the onslaught of Russian troops, shelling and information attacks. Not just withstood, but did not allow the troops to move further into the centre of Ukraine.

Convoys of Russian cars and tanks were stopped by ordinary people: they took photos, sent them to Ukrainian soldiers, and misled the racists by changing and removing road signs.

Mykolaiv is now in the process of being rebuilt. It has cost millions of dollars and involved tremendous work by local residents and the administration. At the same time, there is nightly shelling and constant anxiety. At the same time, there is volunteering and donations for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, help for the victims and programmes to support IDPs. If you want to become a part of the big Mykolaiv family, follow the link.

Read about thelife of Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv region today in our article.

Okhtyrka

A small town in the Sumy region, almost completely destroyed by the occupation, but undefeated. Okhtyrka was the first to cover Russian crimes during the full-scale invasion. As they said about them, they ‘blew the whistle’ on the occupiers. Okhtyrka was the first to speak out to the whole world: Ukraine is being destroyed - destroyed for the love of freedom!

These cities are for those who want to see the real Ukraine - its courage, glory and unconquerability. Choose tours by clicking on the links (city names) and contact our specialists to clarify details (Telegram | WhatsApp), book hotels, purchase tickets and organise a turnkey trip from any city in Ukraine or neighbouring countries.

Just a reminder! Earlier, we told you about the path Ukraine was heading for independence over the centuries and the challenges it faced.

Photo: Ukrinform

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