Order of Freedom

The Order of Freedom is the highest order of Ukraine, which can be awarded to foreigners and stateless persons (for citizens of Ukraine the highest award is the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star or the Order of the State). As of August 22, 2021, there are 22 foreign knights of the Order of Freedom, and at the time of awarding seven of them were knights of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise I degree.

History of the award

• On August 18, 2005, President Yushchenko decree № 1177/2005 decided to support the proposal of the State Awards and Heraldry Commission to establish the Order of Freedom to celebrate the special merits of citizens in establishing Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and developing democracy; the establishment of the medal "For Saved Lives" was also supported. The Commission on State Awards and Heraldry was instructed to hold an all-Ukrainian competition within three months to develop designs for the Order of Freedom and the Medal for Saved Life and, taking into account its results, submit a bill amending the Law of Ukraine on State Awards of Ukraine.
• On April 10, 2008, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine № 258-VI “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine“ On State Awards of Ukraine ”, which established new state awards of Ukraine - the Order of Freedom and the Medal for Saved Lives.
• On May 20, 2008, Presidential Decree No. 460/2008 approved the Statute of the Order, which includes a description of the Order's badge.
• On September 29, 2008, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden became the first cavalier.

Statute of the Order

• Citizens of Ukraine, foreigners and stateless persons may be awarded the Order of Freedom.
• Awarding the Order of Freedom is carried out by a decree of the President of Ukraine.
• The Order of Freedom is not awarded for the second time.
• Awarding the Order of Freedom may be carried out posthumously.
• He was awarded the Order of Freedom and is named a Knight of the Order of Freedom.
• Nomination for the award of the Order of Freedom and presentation of this award is made in accordance with the Procedure for nomination for the award and presentation of state awards of Ukraine.
• A person awarded the Order of Freedom is awarded a badge of the Order and an order book of the established standard.

Description of the Order of Freedom

• The sign of the Order of Freedom is made of gilded silver and has the shape of an equilateral cross with diverging sides. The sides of the cross are covered with white enamel and decorated with four rectangular artificial Swarovski crystals. In the center of the cross is a round blue enamel medallion with a gold image of the Sign of the Princely State of Vladimir the Great, which is framed by a laurel wreath. The medallion is bordered by a double decorative strip. The sides of the corners of the cross are framed with stylized floral ornaments. All images are embossed.
• The reverse side of the sign of the order is flat with the engraved number of the sign.
• The size of the sign of the order between the opposite ends of the cross is 54 mm.
• The badge of the Order with the help of a ring with an ear is connected with a decorative bar, which is the basis of the ribbon for wearing the badge of the Order on the neck. The Order of Freedom is worn on the neckband and if the winner has other orders of Ukraine, which are worn on the neckband, placed above them.
• The strap is made of the same metal as the badge of the Order. Ribbon of the Order of the White Silk Moire with longitudinal stripes - in the middle of wide blue and yellow, bordered on the edges by narrow stripes of yellow and blue, respectively, and on the edges of the ribbon by narrow strips of orange. The width of the tape is 28 mm, the width of the wide strips of blue and yellow - 6 mm each, narrow strips of yellow and blue, as well as strips of orange - 2 mm each.
• The bar of the order is a rectangular metal plate covered with ribbon. The size of a lath: height - 12 mm, width - 28 mm.

Sequence of placement of signs of state awards of Ukraine

• The badge of the Order of Freedom is on the neckband above the badges of other awards.