On behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk has presented the “Gold Star” Order of Hero of Ukraine Olha Simonova to the Museum. This highest state distinction is the first of its kind in the Museum’s collection dedicated to the modern russo-Ukrainian War.
In her speech, Iryna Vereshchuk emphasized that Ms. Olha’s feat and its commemoration in the Museum will contribute to the formation of national memory and the dignified honoring of Ukraine’s defenders.
Yurii Savchuk, Director General of the War Museum, accepted the exceptional artifact. He noted that while the institution’s vast collection includes two "Golden Stars" awarded to Ukrainians during the Second World War, Olha Simonova’s award is the first bestowed for the defense of Ukraine against russian aggression. The Museum head also shared Ms. Olha’s story with those in attendance.
Olha Simonova (callsign “Simba”) is a unique figure in modern Ukrainian history, whose life path became a symbol of the uncompromising struggle for truth. She proved that being Ukrainian is defined not by birth, but by the calling of one’s heart and a readiness to sacrifice one’s life for shared values.
Olha was born in chelyabinsk, russia, where she trained as an engineer and achieved significant success in sports. However, in 2014, rejecting her country’s aggressive policies and the occupation of Crimea and Donbas, she made a resolute decision to move to Ukraine.
Olha began her journey as a volunteer in paramedic units and later, in 2016, signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). She renounced her russian citizenship, stating she could not remain silent while the freedom of a neighboring nation was being destroyed. She became one of the first foreigners to receive a Ukrainian passport while serving in the AFU.
With the start of the full-scale invasion, Olha Simonova served as a sergeant and BMP (infantry fighting vehicle) commander in the 24th Mechanized Brigade named after King Daniel.
The defender was killed on September 13, 2022, while performing a combat mission in the Kherson direction. She is buried at the Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv.
In 2023, Olha Simonova was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Gold Star. Her brothers- and sisters-in-arms initiated the donation of the award to the War Museum.
The event was also attended by students from Lyceum No. 216 of the Obolon district of Kyiv. Visiting the Museum as part of a collaboration with the Main Directorate of Personnel Psychological Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine), they had the unique opportunity to hear Olha’s story and see Ukraine’s highest state honor with their own eyes.
From now on, the memory of Olha Simonova and her contribution to the defense of Ukraine will be preserved by the Museum in perpetuity, and her story will serve as an example of self-awareness, courage, and bravery for future generations.
