State awards of Ukraine: from the “Golden Star” to personalized weapons

Ukraine’s system of state awards follows a clear hierarchy — from the highest title of Hero of Ukraine to honorary titles and presidential distinctions. Each award recognizes personal achievements in service to the nation — in war, science, culture, or civic activity. A special place is held by personalized firearms, which have the status of a presidential distinction. Frontliner explores the history, classification, and benefits associated with these honors.

Ukrainian state awards are the highest form of recognition for citizens’ outstanding service to the nation, granted by presidential decree in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine. Recipients are presented with insignia, such as orders or medals, along with official certificates. Awards may also be given posthumously. Beyond individual recognition, state honors carry a symbolic meaning, affirming national values and traditions.

Hierarchy of state awards

By law, the main types of state awards are:

Title of Hero of Ukraine – the highest level of distinction.
Orders – award crosses of various degrees.
Medals – decorations for service and bravery.
Distinction “Personalized Firearm” – an award weapon for exceptional service.
Honorary Titles of Ukraine – titles such as “People’s…” or “Honored…”.
State Prizes of Ukraine – top awards in science, culture, and arts.
Presidential Distinctions – special honors established by the President.

The title of Hero of Ukraine stands at the top, followed by orders, which also have an internal hierarchy. The insignia of the “Golden Star” and the Order of the State (both awarded to Heroes of Ukraine) are worn above all other decorations.

The Order of Freedom is also among the highest honors. According to protocol, the insignia of higher orders and distinctions are worn first, followed by lower-degree orders and then medals.

The highest award – Hero of Ukraine

The Hero of Ukraine is the nation’s highest title, awarded either for acts of courage on the battlefield, in rescue missions, or other extreme situations, or for outstanding achievements in nation-building, science, economy, and culture.

The “Golden Star” Order, Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov. 5, 2025. Danylo Dubchak / Frontliner

State awards of Ukraine: from the “Golden Star” to personalized weapons — The “Golden Star” Order, Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov. 5, 2025. Danylo Dubchak / Frontliner

Recipients of the title receive one of two orders:

The Order of the Golden Star for heroic deeds.
The Order of the State for labor or civic achievements.

Both are made from precious metals. The Golden Star is a gold five-pointed star set on an oak wreath, while the Order of the State is a stylized trident encrusted with diamonds.

The names of all Heroes of Ukraine are entered into the official state chronicle. Since independence, hundreds of prominent individuals have been awarded this title: soldiers, volunteers, engineers, artists, and athletes.
The first Hero of Ukraine, in 1998, was the distinguished scientist Borys Paton.
During the Revolution of Dignity (2013–2014), the title was posthumously awarded to all fallen protesters — the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.
Today, the Golden Star is most often awarded to service members for courage on the front lines of the Russian–Ukrainian war.

Orders of Independent Ukraine

Orders are decorations in the form of crosses or stars awarded for a wide range of merits. Each order has its own charter defining eligibility, design, and rules for wearing. Most have three degrees (I [first] being the highest).

Order of Freedom is the newest, established in 2008, awarded for outstanding contributions to sovereignty, democracy, and social reform. Often granted to foreign allies of Ukraine, such as former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who received it in 2022.
Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (I–V degrees), awarded for exceptional service to the state, international reputation, science, and culture. The I Degree is usually presented to heads of state. Nelson Mandela received it in 1998.
Order “For Merit” (I–III degrees) is the most widely awarded, honoring contributions in economy, science, culture, or civil service. Many Ukrainian Olympians are recipients, including Serhiy Bubka, who became a full cavalier of all three degrees (1994–1999).
Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky (I–III degrees) a military order awarded for exceptional defense service and leadership. Many brigade commanders during the current war have received it.
Order of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred was established in 2014 to honor civic courage and patriotism. Awarded to participants of the Revolution of Dignity and defenders of human rights.
Order “For Courage” (I–III degrees) honors personal bravery in rescue missions, law enforcement, or emergency response. Recipients include firefighters, rescuers, and soldiers. In 2014, filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, imprisoned in Russia, received the III Degree.
Order of Princess Olha (I–III degrees) awarded to women for achievements in public, humanitarian, and educational fields.
Order of Danylo Halytsky established in 2003 for officers and civil servants for faithful service and contribution to Ukraine’s development.
Order “For Valiant Mining Labor” (I–III degrees) is a sectoral order for miners and extractive industry workers.

Order “For Courage”, First Class Ukraine — Order “For Courage,” I Degree, Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov. 5, 2025. Danylo Dubchak / Frontliner

All orders are produced exclusively by the National Bank’s Mint, often from precious materials, and designed with historical symbolism. They are traditionally presented during official ceremonies or national holidays by top state officials.

Medals for service, valor, and humanity

Medals rank below orders but remain vital in Ukraine’s award system. They recognize both military and civilian service.

Main state medals include:

Medal “For Military Service to Ukraine” for soldiers showing courage in defending national interests.
Medal “For Impeccable Service” (I–III degrees) for officers with exemplary records and long service.
Medal “Defender of the Fatherland” for veterans and volunteers who demonstrated courage in defending Ukraine.
Medal “For Saved Life” was established in 2008 to honor citizens who rescued lives or contributed to healthcare and charity.

Medals are worn on the left side of the chest, below orders, usually on ribbon bars. Each medal carries unique imagery. For example, the Military Service medal features swords and a trident, while the Saved Life medal displays a red cross.

Personalized firearms and presidential distinctions

A special category of awards includes personalized firearms — pistols or rifles engraved with the recipient’s name, granted to officers for notable service. These weapons have the status of presidential distinctions.

Other presidential distinctions include:

Cross of Combat Merit (2022) was introduced during the ongoing war to recognize exceptional battlefield bravery.
Cross of Ivan Mazepa (2009) for contributions to national heritage, state-building, and humanitarian work.
Distinction “National Legend of Ukraine” (2021) honors those who dedicated their lives to Ukraine’s independence, development, and defense.
Medal “For Labor and Valor” (2001) for significant contributions to public life and long, faithful service.

Presidential decrees have also established commemorative medals, such as “20 Years of Independence of Ukraine” or “70 Years of Victory over Nazism.”

These are one-time awards marking historical anniversaries. All presidential distinctions are now recognized as state awards, granted by presidential decree and produced under state supervision.

Privileges for awardees

Receiving a state award brings not only prestige but also legal benefits. The most significant privileges apply to Heroes of Ukraine.

As of 2025, a Hero of Ukraine receives:

A one-time payment equal to 50 living wages (about ₴151,400).
A monthly allowance of three minimum wages (about ₴24,000).
Families of fallen Heroes receive a monthly payment equal to one minimum wage.

Heroes also have the right to:

Free housing or housing for their families (if posthumously awarded).
Free capital repairs of homes.
Full exemption from utility payments, telephone, and alarm service fees.
Free medical care, medication, and dental prosthetics.
Priority access to vehicles, fuel compensation (up to 50 liters per month), and rehabilitation services.
Employment protections, additional paid leave (up to three weeks yearly), and free education for them and their families.

Utility benefits for Heroes of Ukraine include full exemption from rent, utility payments, bottled gas for household use, as well as subscription fees for telephone and security services. Medical guarantees provide the right to free treatment, medication, rehabilitation in sanatoriums, and dental prosthetics. Transportation benefits include a monthly fuel allowance, equivalent to 50 liters of gasoline, and priority access to a vehicle for Heroes with disabilities.

Employment guarantees ensure that Heroes have the preferential right to remain employed during staff reductions, receive priority in hiring, and are granted an additional paid vacation of up to three weeks annually. They and their family members are also entitled to free education at state institutions.

Other awardees are entitled to increased pensions for special service to Ukraine.

If a person is deprived of an award by court ruling or National Security and Defense Council decision (for example, for treason or serious crimes), all privileges are revoked, and the insignia must be returned to the state.

Adapted: Kateryna Saienko