Zelenskyy awards Cross of Combat Merit to TRO soldiers who held one front position for 165 days
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed decrees awarding the Cross of Military Merit to Private Oleksandr Alikseenko and Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Tishayev, who serve in the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, for continuous combat operations at the front line for 165 days.
"The commander of the rifle platoon, Oleksandr Tishayev, has been in the combat zone in the Zaporizhia direction since the summer of last year. Since then, he has led the destruction of the enemy and held positions, together with his comrades entering into battle with significantly larger enemy forces. In addition, Oleksandr Tishayev destroyed enemy drones and saved the lives of personnel. Grenade launcher Oleksandr Alikseenko has been in the combat zone in the Zaporizhia direction since September of last year. He repeatedly repelled attacks by enemy drones, using electronic warfare and small arms. He evacuated his comrades from the dugout, where the occupiers had sent gas ammunition using FPV drones. He occupied important positions under dense artillery fire and drone attacks," the presidential press service said.
It is noted that in May - October 2025, on the outskirts of the settlements of Verbovye, Mala Tokmachka, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, Oleksandr Tishayev, as a senior position officer, together with soldier Oleksandr Alikseenko, spent 165 days at one of the observation positions. They reported on reconnaissance of the front line, the flight of drones, observed enemy assault groups, carried out preventive fire, and reported on the movement and location of the occupiers.
"In difficult conditions, under constant mortar fire and drone attacks, Oleksandr Tishayev ensured the smooth functioning of the position and maintained the fighting spirit of Oleksandr Alikseenko, who was wounded in one of the combat clashes. There were more than 30 attempts to withdraw and replace the crew from this position, but it was not possible to do this safely. The last combat clash with the occupiers took place on October 20, when the enemy stormed the defensive line with 22 units of armored vehicles together with the landing force. Ukrainian soldiers eliminated three Russians who tried to break into their position after destroying the Russian MT-LB," the report states.
On October 28, Tishayev and Alikseenko were able to be withdrawn from the position due to favorable weather conditions. Despite his injuries, Oleksandr Alikseenko managed to walk about 12 km to the evacuation point with the help of his comrade. The soldiers are currently being treated in the hospital.