Zelensky Names 29-Year-Old Former Schoolteacher Hero of Ukraine After Drone-Zone Rescue
Former teacher Vladyslav Polskyi, now an assault company commander, received Ukraine’s highest honor after personally evacuating two wounded soldiers under Russian drone threat.
Four years after teaching school in Zaporizhzhia, 29-year-old Vladyslav Polskyi has been named a Hero of Ukraine for his daring rescue of two seriously wounded soldiers from a Russian drone zone. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed a decree on Wednesday, August 19, awarding Polskyi the title and the country's highest state distinction, the Order of the Gold Star.
Known as "Teacher" in the military, Polskyi's swift and courageous actions saved the lives of the two soldiers during a rescue attempt on August 15 in the Kharkiv region.
Russian drones had earlier attacked the soldiers after they completed a combat mission, leaving them wounded and exposed. Ukrainian troops attempted to evacuate them using a ground robotic system, but a Russian FPV drone disabled the vehicle, leaving the wounded men in danger. Recognizing the narrow window of opportunity, Polskyi, without his body armor, drove an unarmored pickup truck to the scene.
Racing at speeds up to 100 mph, he managed to transfer the soldiers into his truck, despite potential Russian drones closing in. Despite the danger, Polskyi's quick thinking and bravery ensured the soldiers' safety. The President commended his actions, stating that they serve as an example for others to follow. Polskyi's journey to the battlefield began as a schoolteacher, but after Russian forces advanced, he volunteered for military service, eventually becoming an assault company commander.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
