The President of Ukraine bestowed high state awards on warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and servicemen of the National Guards of Ukraine who are defending the Ukrainian people and state against Russian aggression.

61 servicemen were awarded (among them 17 – posthumously) with orders and medals for personal courage displayed while protecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, for selfless performing of military duty. In particular, officer of the 54th separate reconnaissance battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Junior Lieutenant Serhii Halash was awarded with the order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi.

On October 8, 2016, a reconnaissance group headed by Serhii Halash set up an ambush along a road adversary sabotage-and-reconnaissance groups would allegedly use near Vodiane. In the course of the ambush operation two occupants were killed and one was taken prisoner with arms and personal documents. When the reconnaissance group was leaving the reconnaissance area, the enemy opened fire from small arms, mortars, grenade launchers and machine guns with heavy gauge.

Under the command of Junior Lieutenant Halash the group of fire support on BRM-1K (commander’s cavalry fighting vehicle) successfully retaliated, neutralizing adversary fire means. Due to his skilful actions, the reconnaissance group managed to reach a safe place without losses and lead the prisoner way from armed hostilities.