Rescuer Nikita Ukolov: Order of Honour from President’s hands is honour of a lifetime

Nikita Ukolov is a captain of the Emergencies Ministry, deputy head of the fire rescue unit and multiple world champion in firefighting sports. During today’s awards ceremony dedicated to National Unity Day, he received the Order of Honour from the President’s hands for achieving high sporting results and a great personal contribution to the development of fire and rescue sports.

This guy knows what’s what, having seen a lot in the service and in sports. However, he confessed that the awards ceremony sent shivers up his spine.

“Only on Thursday, our team returned from the World Firefighting and Rescue Championship, held in China, and today I have already received the Order of Honour from the President. When I found out that I would be awarded, I felt incredibly proud. It’s very pleasant and exciting. Such recognition of my work means that I’m on the right track, doing everything right. Before the recent world forum, I won the championship title in the ‘climbing the assault ladder’ discipline for four years in a row. I wanted to extend the winning streak, but, alas, there was a failure. And then I got so mad at myself that I won all the other starts! I’m glad to glorify my Belarus. It is everyone’s duty to love their country and be useful to it. For us, the Emergencies Ministry employees, it is also important to always be nearby and come to the rescue on time,” Nikita Ukolov noted.