Zelenskyy grants "Hero of Ukraine" title to serviceman killed by Russian troops ... for his "Glory to Ukraine!" message

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has conferred the title of "Hero of Ukraine" upon Oleksandr Matsiyevsky, a Ukrainian soldier who was seen in video footage being killed by Russian troops in Donetsk earlier this month.

"I conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine upon Oleksandr Matsiyevsky. A Ukrainian warrior. A man who will be known and remembered forever. For his bravery, for his confidence in Ukraine and for his "Glory to Ukraine!". Glory to the Hero! Glory to the Heroes! Glory to Ukraine!" Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter on March 12.

On March 6, a video was circulated online showing Russians shooting an unarmed Ukrainian soldier. His last words were "Glory to Ukraine!".

First, one of the combat brigades reported that the shot Hero was Timofei Shadura. However, subsequently, information appeared that this was Matsiyevsky.

On March 12, it was confirmed by the Ukraine Security Service (SBU). SBU investigators established that Alexander Matsiyevsky was shot on December 30, 2022.

His body was returned home in February 2023. The pre-trial investigation is carried out under article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).