President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding the honorary title of ‘Hero City of Ukraine’ to 16 cities in seven regions. These are Bashtanka, Voznesensk, Huliaipole, Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Kupiansk, Marhanets, Nikopol, Orikhiv, Pavlohrad, Pokrovsk, Sloviansk, Starokostiantyniv, Sumy, and Trostianets.

The decree refers to the commemoration of the citizens’ feat, mass heroism, and steadfastness, which they demonstrated while defending their cities against the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Bashtanka (Mykolaiv region). From the first day of the full-scale Russian invasion, the city set up a resistance point, created a territorial defence battalion and a volunteer formation called ‘Bashtanka-1’. On 1 March 2022, the city’s residents fought two Russian columns comprising tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and trucks armed with cannons. Using their own resources, they destroyed an enemy column of over 400 combat vehicles and seized another 30 pieces of equipment. This slowed the advance of the occupiers, enabling the city to be held for a week until regular units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine arrived.

Voznesensk (Mykolaiv region). From 2 to 15 March 2022, the city was in the zone of active combat operations. After failing to capture Mykolaiv, the Russians attempted to occupy Voznesensk in order to ferry their troops across the Pivdennyi Buh River and ultimately cut Ukraine off from the sea. The residents of Voznesensk fought for the city alongside the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The destruction of the bridge over the Mertvovid River and the railway bridge on the outskirts of the city stopped the advance of three columns of occupiers, forcing the enemy to retreat and ultimately leading to their complete defeat.

Huliaipole (Zaporizhzhia region). Since early March 2022, the city has been under constant enemy shelling and is now only 5 km from the front line. Huliaipole is a strategically important locality, as it provides direct access to Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and the Donetsk region. In order to protect the city, its residents joined the territorial defence forces, organised shifts at checkpoints, dug trenches, wove camouflage nets and provided soldiers with everything they needed.

Druzhkivka (Donetsk Region). The city was under temporary occupation from April to July 2014, and was liberated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 5 July 2014. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the city has been under constant shelling. Despite this, all essential services are operating in the city, including medical personnel, rescue workers, the police and utility workers. They are dealing with the aftermath of Russian attacks and restoring electricity, the water supply and communications. Volunteers are delivering humanitarian aid, rescuing animals and helping people.

Kostiantynivka (Donetsk region). Following the full-scale Russian invasion, the city became a reliable rear base for the military and a temporary shelter for those displaced from other communities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Since January 2025, Russia has intensified its attacks on the city. Despite the constant threat, all necessary service agencies and volunteers are always on hand to help those in need. Since May, the city has been in a combat zone and has been under constant shelling.

Kramatorsk (Donetsk region). In April–July 2014, the city was temporarily occupied, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated it on 5 July 2014. Kramatorsk became the temporary administrative centre of the Donetsk region. Since the start of the full-scale war, it has been subjected to constant shelling from Russia and significant destruction. Despite this, Kramatorsk has become the main logistics hub and outpost of the region.

Kupiansk (Kharkiv region). It was under occupation from 27 February to 16 September 2022. During this time, risking their lives, the residents gathered in the square and demonstrated their loyalty to Ukraine. The Russians detained people and threw them into torture chambers. The occupiers abused volunteers, teachers, rescuers, combatants, and representatives of state authorities. As a result of the successful Kharkiv counteroffensive, the Ukrainian Defence Forces liberated the city. However, Kupiansk remains in the zone of active combat operations and is under constant Russian shelling.

Marharets (Dnipropetrovsk region). Since July 2022, the city has been under constant attack from the Russian Federation. The Russians are shelling the residents of Marharets from the temporarily occupied territory of Enerhodar with multiple launch rocket systems and artillery, and are striking with FPV drones. These attacks, as well as the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam, have brought the city to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. However, thanks to the organisation and resilience of its residents, Marhanets is still standing.

Nikopol (Dnipropetrovsk region). The city has been under constant Russian shelling since July 2022. From the territory of the temporarily occupied Enerhodar, the Russians are striking Nikopol with MLRS and artillery, attacking local residents with FPV drones. Russia is destroying residential buildings, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure. However, people remain in their hometown, and all necessary services are functioning. Together, the community is restoring what the occupiers have destroyed.

Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia region). The city has been under artillery and air attacks since the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion. Orikhiv’s civilian infrastructure, residential areas, schools, hospitals and cultural sites have been destroyed. However, the city’s defences are holding back the occupiers and preventing them from advancing further into the Zaporizhzhia region.

Pavlohrad (Dnipropetrovsk region): Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the city has been subjected to constant missile and drone attacks from Russia. Nevertheless, it continues to support the country’s defence industry. Strategically important for the evacuation of people from the Donetsk region, Pavlohrad has the necessary hospital facilities to receive wounded soldiers on the front line.

Pokrovsk (Donetsk region). Since the start of the full-scale war, Pokrovsk received hundreds of people fleeing the combat zone every day. The city's civilian and critical infrastructure continued to function. However, since July 2024, it has been in the zone of active combat operations and has been under constant shelling from Russia. Situated in a strategically important part of the Donetsk region, Pokrovsk has long served as a base for the Ukrainian Defence Forces. The enemy continues its attempts to occupy the city, concentrating most of its forces there. However, Ukrainian soldiers are holding their positions steadfastly and courageously.

Sloviansk (Donetsk region): The city faced Russian aggression on 12 April 2014, resulting in a temporary occupation. The following day, Ukraine announced the commencement of an anti-terrorist operation. The Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated Sloviansk on 5 July 2014. Since February 2022, Sloviansk has been a frontline zone, a status it retains to this day. It is currently home to the only maternity hospital in the entire region.

Starokostiantyniv (Khmelnytskyi region). The city is of strategic importance to the country’s defence capabilities. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the city has been subjected to constant strikes. This year alone, it has endured nearly 30 missile strikes and around 300 drone attacks. Despite working and studying in conditions of constant danger and tension, residents continue to ensure the effective functioning of Starokostiantyniv.

Sumy. A border regional centre that became one of the first targets of the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022. The city was besieged until 4 April, when the enemy was forced to retreat. In the early days of hostilities, local volunteers and territorial defence units organised resistance against the occupiers and partisan movement was active. Despite the retreat of the enemy, Sumy and the surrounding localities continue to suffer from shelling and destruction.

Trostianets (Sumy region): Located 35 km from the border with Russia, the city was occupied on the first day of the full-scale Russian invasion. The occupation lasted 31 days. Trostianets became one of the most affected localities in the Sumy region. However, resistance from the local population and support from the Ukrainian Armed Forces prevented the Russian army from achieving its objectives. The advance of the occupiers on Okhtyrka, Lebedyn and Sumy was halted in Trostianets.

In total, 26 cities have been awarded the title of ‘Hero City’. On 6 March 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established the honorary title of ‘Hero City of Ukraine’ and awarded it to Volnovakha, Hostomel, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv. On 24 March 2022, he awarded it to Bucha, Irpin, Mykolaiv, and Okhtyrka.