Ahead of Rescuer's Day, the winners of the annual All-Ukrainian "Hero-Rescuer of the Year" campaign were honored. The ceremony was attended by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with personnel from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and presented them with state awards. Diplomas were also presented to the "Hero-Rescuer of the Year" honorees in the presence of the Head of State.
Among those recognized was Roman Plikhtiak, a second-year cadet of the Educational and Research Institute No. 1 of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs.
For his courage and decisiveness in rescuing four children, Roman Plikhtiak was awarded the "For Courage in an Emergency Situation" badge by the Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
The award was presented to the cadet by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ivan Vyhivskyi, and the Acting Head of the National Police of Ukraine, Maksym Tsutskiridze.
On December 28, 2025, while on holiday leave in Kolomyia, Roman heard cries for help. Four children had fallen through the ice into the water at one of the city's lakes.
The cadet immediately called emergency services, shouted for help from passersby, and ventured onto the ice alongside student Yarema Knyshchuk. A local resident also joined the rescue effort. Through their combined efforts, they pulled the children to shore, where they were handed over to medical personnel.
Ultimately, four children were saved: an 8-year-old boy and three girls aged 9, 10, and 11. In a critical situation, Roman acted swiftly and decisively, applying the knowledge and practical skills he had acquired during his studies at KhNUIA.
Today, his actions received official recognition. Roman Plikhtiak was honored alongside other recipients of the "Hero-Rescuer of the Year" award at a ceremony attended by the President of Ukraine.
For Roman, this award serves as a tribute to his courage, sense of responsibility, and readiness to come to the aid of those in danger.
We congratulate Roman Plikhtiak on this award and are proud of our cadet!
