Volodymyr Zelenskyy Presented State Awards to Representatives of the Crimean Tatar People

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding state honors to representatives of the Crimean Tatar people.

The Head of State noted that Russia moved gradually toward full-scale war against Ukraine, which is still ongoing, and its first aggressive step was directed precisely against Ukrainian Crimea.

"Now we are fighting with the utmost principle so that the aggressor receives no reward for this war - so that Russia is truly held accountable for everything: for aggression against us, against our people, against all of Ukraine. And so that Russian crimes - against people, against the state, against sovereignty and independence, against our Crimea - do not go unpunished," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to the President, the issue of Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, our land, and all our people - and therefore the issue of Ukrainian Crimea - is absolutely fundamental.

"We will certainly end this war with a dignified peace for Ukraine. And in order to prevent new Russian aggression, there must also be a moral security guarantee for Ukraine, for Europe, and for the world - a guarantee that Russia will not be allowed by the world to consider any part of another country as if it were theirs, Russian. Therefore, the question of our people, our land, and our Crimea must be met with a clear and principled answer: this is our state, our land, our Crimea," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The Head of State emphasized that the Ukrainian people, the Crimean Tatar people, and other Indigenous peoples of Ukraine must not be deprived of their home. In addition, all those held in Russian prisons and camps must be released. Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Crimean Tatars to continue fighting together with all Ukrainians - to remain active, principled, and, when necessary, loud, so that all partners clearly hear them.

The President presented state awards to representatives of the Crimean Tatar people.

Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Ilmi Umerov, was awarded the Order of Merit, I class. He did not recognize the Russian annexation of Crimea in spring 2014 and openly opposed the illegal actions of the aggressor and the dismantling of his people's representative institutions. In 2016, he was sentenced by a so-called court in Simferopol to two years in a penal settlement. In October 2017, he was released and transferred to Ukraine through mediation by Türkiye. He continues active human rights and advocacy work.

The Order of Merit, ÍI class, was awarded to journalist and producer Akim Galimov. He is the author of documentary and historical films such as "Ukraine. Returning Its Own History", "Secrets of Great Ukrainians", "Treasures of the Nation", "Ukrainian Palaces. Golden Age", "Rashism. A Medical History", and "The True History of Crimea", as well as the project "Real History". His work highlights the inseparable link between Crimea and Ukraine, the true history of the peninsula and its Indigenous peoples, countering Russian propaganda.

The Order of Merit, III class, was awarded to:

Director of the Defence Procurement Agency, Arsen Zhumadilov. From 2019 to 2023, he headed the state enterprise "Medical Procurement of Ukraine," contributing to the development of anti-corruption infrastructure and transparent procurement systems. He served in the Medical Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As head of the State Logistics Operator, he reformed the procurement system for non-lethal supplies for the military. Since March 2025, he has served as Director of the Defence Procurement Agency, which procures weapons, ammunition, and military equipment. He is also engaged in public activity and consistently defends the rights of Crimean Tatars.

World champion 2025 and U-23 world vice-champion 2023, European U-23 silver medalist 2023 in Greco-Roman wrestling, Irfan Mirzoiev. He was forced to leave his native Crimea after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. He currently competes for the Poltava region while continuing to represent the Wrestling Federation of AR Crimea.

Mufti of Crimea, Ayder Rustemov. He heads the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, he has organized hot meals for military personnel and civilians in frontline communities. He actively counters Russian propaganda and is one of the co-organizers of iftar events with the President, held since 2023.

Head of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Nariman Suleymanov. He left Crimea after the occupation and continued his work in the Ukrainian prosecutor's system, including in the ATO/OOS zone. After the start of Russia's full-scale aggression, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He also works on international cooperation regarding sanctions and collaborates with the International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights to ensure accountability for war crimes.

Senior coach of the Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestling national team, Lenur Temirov. In 2018, he moved to Kyiv with his family and continued his sporting career. Since 2022, he has worked with the national team and is the personal coach of a world and European championship winner and medalist, Irfan Mirzoiev. He supports athletes who were forced to leave their homes due to the war.

Civil society activist and human rights defender, Leniie Umerova. In 2014, she refused a Russian passport and completed her schooling and higher education in Ukrainian government-controlled territory. In December 2022, she intended to travel to Crimea to visit her father, who was suffering from cancer. She was illegally detained by Russian authorities at the border with Georgia, accused of "espionage" and held in harsh conditions for almost two years, including solitary confinement. In September 2024, Leniie was released as part of a prisoner exchange. After undergoing rehabilitation, she joined human rights work.

Order of Princess Olga, III class, was awarded to volunteer and entrepreneur Emine Emirsaliieva, co-owner of the "Musafir" restaurant chain. After the occupation of Crimea, her family moved to Kyiv. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, she has organized food production and delivery for Ukrainian warriors, and during the difficult winter of 2025-2026, her restaurants served as support and warming centers. "Musafir" also functions as a cultural hub showcasing Crimean Tatar traditions and cuisine.

The President also awarded the honorary title People's Artist of Ukraine to concertmaster and composer of the Lviv Organ Hall Dzhemil Karikov. He researches Crimean Tatar musical heritage and has composed music for numerous theatrical productions. He has represented Ukrainian art in Türkiye, Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania.

Ceramic artist and founder of the El Cheber studio, Rustem Skybin, was awarded the title People's Painter of Ukraine. He developed a unique style of polychrome ceramics with original ornaments. His works are often used as official diplomatic gifts at the highest level. He also participates in charity auctions, directing funds to drones, equipment, and vehicles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The title Merited Teacher of Ukraine was awarded to Crimean Tatar language and literature teacher at Birlik School, Gulnaz Adzhigeldieva. She is a co-author of the textbook "Crimean Tatar Language and Literature. Integrated Course" for the 7th grade, as well as of school curricula recommended by the Ministry of Education. She is also a co-author and presenter of 140 online lessons in the Crimean Tatar language for the All-Ukrainian Online School. Her students consistently win top prizes in academic Olympiads.

The title Merited Journalist of Ukraine was awarded to the editor-in-chief of QIRIM.Media online media outlet, Naciye Ametova. Since 2017, her father, Kyazim Ametov, had spent four years in prison and under house arrest as a result of the fabricated Vedzhie Kashka case. Naciye herself was forced to relocate to Kyiv. She founded the video project "Faces of Free Crimea", dedicated to military personnel and civilians who are fighting for the peninsula's freedom.

The title of Merited Education Worker of Ukraine was awarded to Sabriie Slastion, a lecturer at the Department of Turkology at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She is engaged in the development of higher education in Ukraine, designs courses in Crimean Tatar language and literature for school students, and is actively involved in literary studies and translation work. She promotes the legacy of Ismail Gasprinsky and the history of her people.

According to the Presidential decree, the Order of Merit, III class, was also awarded to:

Head of the Institute for the Development of the Crimean Tatar Language Association and writer, Mustafa Ametov. He contributes to the preservation of national identity and the development of contemporary literature of the indigenous people. Under his leadership, the printed archive of Crimean Tatar literature has been digitized. He is also working on reforming and systematizing orthography, and organizes courses and develops modern online lessons for learning the Crimean Tatar language.

An international lawyer and human rights defender, Suleiman Mamutov. For many years, he has actively defended the rights of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine. In 2022, he became the first Ukrainian representative elected as an expert member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, replacing a Russian representative in that position. He has ensured that objective information about mass human rights violations and violations of the rights of the indigenous people of Crimea by Russia has been included in the international agenda.

The title of Merited Teacher of Ukraine was awarded to Afize Emiramzaieva, a teacher of Crimean Tatar language and literature at the Birlik School lyceum. She directly develops curricula, creates textbooks, and publishes specialized teaching and methodological materials. She pays great attention to training new specialists in the study of the native language. She serves as a jury member for nationwide Olympiads in Crimean Tatar language and literature. She provides Crimean Tatar children with deep knowledge of their historical homeland so that they preserve their national identity and maintain their connection with Crimea.