Konstantyn Vlasenko awarded Hero of Ukraine for 491 days at Vertun position

Official award for heroism

Konstantyn Vlasenko, a soldier in the 30th Brigade, has been officially awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.

The relevant information was published on the official website of the Office of the President.

491 days at the front line

The key fact that served as the basis for the award was the holding of the "Vertun" firing position near the settlement of Synkivka in Kharkiv Oblast. The serviceman held the defence continuously for 491 days.

These events are given particular weight by the fact that Konstantyn spent 232 of those days completely alone, without the support of his comrades.

Loss of feet and self-aid

In February 2026, an artillery strike destroyed the position, resulting in Konstantyn sustaining severe injuries to both legs.

Due to constant shelling, it was impossible to evacuate him by conventional means. The defender therefore hid in a semi-destroyed shelter for months. He provided himself with medical aid and continued to carry out his combat mission, transmitting intelligence data on the enemy to the command.

The situation was complicated by the development of gangrene. As a result, Konstantyn lost one foot and was forced to amputate the other himself.

Unique evacuation

The hero's life was saved only in October thanks to a unique operation. The evacuation was carried out using a modified heavy unmanned aerial vehicle, the Heavy Shot "Ayudag-6".