I was in a taxi on my way to the Ukrainska Pravda Award when a car crashed into ours. I was jolted a great deal, and while I was trying to figure out if my head, arms, and legs were intact, I was thinking – just not today, I have to present an award to a special person. 1/8 
Olena Tolkachova, the head of Azov’s patronage service, received the UP award in the "Civic Stance" nomination. She has been at war since 2014 and managed to build an institution that provides full medical support to wounded soldiers and takes care of the families of the fallen.
Other units explore their experience as they fearlessly and effectively save lives. Life is the most valuable.
3/8
3/8
On stage, I quoted my teacher, philosopher, author, and dissident Yevhen Sverstiuk. He would often say, "One man on the battlefield is a warrior." It is about each person's responsibility to do everything and even more in the place where he or she is. 4/8
However, since February 2014, the "battlefield" has ceased to be a metaphorical expression. Owing to Olena and her team, no one is alone on this battlefield. 5/8
The award was presented to another special person. Posthumously. Many people watched the video of the last words of Oleksandr Matsiievskyi, who threw "Glory to Ukraine" at the occupiers and was shot by machine gun fire. 6/8
This is not just an act of defiance. This is the manifestation of dignity.
7/8
7/8
We really have something to count on. There are many bright people around. We support each other. Together we will get through these difficult and dark times. 8/8
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