Arabic version: زيلينسكي يمنح ميلانيا ترامب وساماً أوكرانياً

According to The Guardian, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, for her role in brokering a partial ceasefire that enabled civilians to leave the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky.

A decree published on the Ukrainian presidential website said the US first lady was being recognised for her “significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine, and for active human rights and charitable work”. Melania Trump announced the localised truce last month, saying it would allow Oleshky residents to leave after weeks of food and medicine shortages. She said nearly 800 people were evacuated.

Ukraine accused Russia this week of using the truce to strengthen its military position in the area. The Kremlin said adjusting positions during a ceasefire was “standard practice”.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s security service said two senior officials had been removed from their posts in connection with a National Anti-Corruption Bureau investigation into bogus call centres. The service said it was providing full support for the probe. Zelenskyy also travelled to Madrid, saying his priorities included stronger air defences, protecting people and expanding defence cooperation and production.

Russian attacks caused hours-long power and water outages in Kyiv and nearby regions. Zelenskyy said the death toll from a strike on Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region had risen to 40, with 30 more people possibly still buried in rubble. In Russia’s Belgorod region, officials said a Ukrainian drone strike killed three members of the same family, including an eight-year-old child.