President awards Hero of Ukraine to Nadia Savchenko

17:44, 02.03.2015 1 min read

President Petro Poroshenko has awarded the title 'Hero of Ukraine' to people's deputy of Ukraine and member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Nadia Savchenko.

"Nadia is a symbol of unbroken Ukrainian spirit and heroism, a symbol of the way one should defend and love Ukraine, a symbol of our victory," the president's press service quotes Poroshenko as saying.

Poroshenko spoke of Savchenko's courage and tenacity, despite being taken hostage and illegally being brought to Russia, which has taken an enormous psychological toll on her.

The president also said that Savchenko illustrates how much depends on one person. "We will do everything to liberate you from imprisonment. I strongly hope that I will have an opportunity to hand you the Gold Star of the Hero of Ukraine [in person]," the president said.

As reported, 33-year-old Ukrainian military pilot Savchenko has been imprisoned in Russia since July 2014. To protest her treatment in prison, she began a hunger strike 80 days ago.