On December 5, 1994, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest memorandum, providing Ukraine with security assurances against threats or use of force against its territorial integrity and political independence in return for giving up nuclear weapons. In February 2014, Russia occupied Ukraine’s Crimea. In April 2014, Russian military and its proxies invaded eastern Ukraine. As a result of Putin’s aggression, more than 10,000 Ukrainians have been killed, over 2.5 million have lost their homes. Today, the only and unconditional guarantors of security and territorial integrity of Ukraine are the Ukrainian heroes – warriors, volunteers, medics, chaplains and journalists – who defend the Ukrainian people, their values and dignity from the merciless enemy. Look closely at their faces. These Ukrainian fighters for freedom are decorated with honors and awards for their arduous work and exemplary courage in protecting the homeland.

Photographer: Roman Nikolayev www.herofaces.org