Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to Oleksandr Matsievsky, a soldier who was shot in Russian captivity. "For his bravery, for his confidence in Ukraine and for his 'Glory to Ukraine!'," reads a statement posted on the Ukrainian president's official Telegram channel.
Zelensky stressed that all Ukrainians know the history of Matsievsky and will remember him forever.
On March 12, the SBU reported that the identity of the serviceman, who was shot after the phrase “Glory to Ukraine!”, was finally confirmed. This is Alexander Igorevich Matsievsky, sniper of the 163rd battalion of the 119th separate brigade of the territorial defense of the Chernihiv region. It is specified that photo and video materials were studied, relatives and friends were interviewed, and a forensic portrait examination was carried out.
On March 6, a video circulated on Telegram channels showing an unarmed man standing by a trench smoking. The voice-over says "take it off". The man says: “Glory to Ukraine!”, after which he is shot.
Three days later, the SBU reported that the identity of the victim had been established. Matsievsky went missing on 30 December.