Zelensky Awards Brooks Newmark Ukraine’s Order of Merit

Brooks Newmark been awarded Ukraine’s Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recognition of his significant contribution to strengthening international co-operation and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The award was announced as part of Ukraine’s Independence Day honours marking the country’s 35th anniversary.

Newmark’s humanitarian work in Ukraine began immediately following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. He subsequently co-founded Angels for Ukraine, an organisation initially focused on evacuating civilians from areas threatened by Russian forces. Through the initiative, Newmark and his team have helped to evacuate more than 35,000 civilians, predominantly women and children, as well as wounded soldiers, from the frontline to safer areas.

His involvement subsequently expanded beyond evacuations to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to frontline communities and programmes supporting Ukrainians affected by the psychological consequences of the war. His work has taken him repeatedly into high-risk areas of Ukraine, including periods when he based himself in Kharkiv, Donbas and Kherson close to the front line.

The Order of Merit therefore represents recognition of a sustained four-year commitment to Ukraine rather than a single humanitarian initiative. Newmark has continued to combine humanitarian engagement with efforts to strengthen international support for Ukraine, while his work has increasingly evolved towards defence technology through Trypillian, the British-Ukrainian defence company he founded.