A defiant Ukrainian prisoner of war, killed by Vladimir Putin's army, was bestowed the title of ‘Hero of Ukraine' on Sunday.

What Happened: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, taking to Twitter, announced that Oleksandr Matsiyevsky, who Russia executed in a gruesome video, will be conferred the title of “Hero of Ukraine.”

“I conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine upon Oleksandr Matsiyevsky. A Ukrainian warrior. A man who will be known and remembered forever. For his bravery, for his confidence in Ukraine and for his ‘Glory to Ukraine!‘ Glory to the Hero! Glory to the Heroes! Glory to Ukraine!” Zelenskyy said.

The execution of Matsiyevsky was filmed in a viral video and was circulated on social media. In the video, the unknown Ukrainian soldier was seen being riddled with bullets after speaking a pro-Ukrainian slogan. 

See Also: Putin Lost Over 1,100 Soldiers In A Week In Bakhmut, Says Zelenskyy: ‘Russia’s Irreversible Loss’

For days, there were many speculations about the soldier’s identity before the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Mar. 12 confirmed the identity. Last week, Ukraine also vowed to take revenge against Moscow, holding the Kremlin responsible for the soldier’s death. 

Matsiyevsky also received wider social media praise for his calmness when facing the execution and chanting, "Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!)."

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