Defenders of Ukraine Congressional Gold Medal Act

In 1991, Ukraine declared independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, key to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Soon after, Ukraine disposed of the world’s third largest nuclear arsenal.

In April 2014, the Russian Federation annexed Crimea and invaded the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Eastern Ukraine; this initial conflict claimed approximately 14,000 lives.

On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation expanded its war against Ukraine, launching a further unprovoked full-scale invasion of the peaceful, independent country.

In response to this unprovoked invasion, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have heroically volunteered to defend their country, joining its Armed Forces and taking up arms against Russian Armed Forces.

Russia’s unjustifiable invasion has claimed thousands of innocent lives, including children and the elderly, through the targeting of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure including apartment buildings, schools, kindergartens, hotels, and hospitals.

Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes and country behind.

Ukrainian civilians, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the democratic government, and its elected and civilian officials have been effective in disrupting the Russian invasion, blocking the enemy using a wide range of methods including direct combat, dismantling nearby road signs, using cranes to move cement blocks in the way, producing improvised petrol bombs, and setting up sandbags to block roadways.

Ukrainian civilians, both armed and unarmed, have shown immense bravery in their heroic attempts to disrupt the Russian war efforts, with little regard for their own safety.

The courage and strength of Ukrainian citizens resisting their autocratic invaders has strengthened the resolve of the United States and their allies, increasing support for the provision of military and humanitarian aid.

Presentation authorized— The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to the Defenders of Ukraine, collectively, in recognition of their crucial role in the defense of the free democracy of Ukraine against Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression.

Design and striking— For the purposes of the presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the “Secretary”) shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.

Disposition of medal— Following the presentation under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

National medals— The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

Numismatic items— For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.