Putin presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Maria Karpenko from the Kursk Region

Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Maria Karpenko, head of the Second Life movement from the town of Kurchatov, Kursk Region. The award ceremony took place on December 5 during the international forum of civic participation "We Are Together".

The volunteer organized a humanitarian mission to new regions and helped evacuate people from Sujan district of Kursk region, whose territory was invaded by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). She transported more than 120 people.

"Thank you very much for the honor, but one is not a warrior in the field. This award is deserved by the sweat and blood of a huge number of volunteers, volunteers of the "Second LifeZN" movement from the city of Kurchatov. <...> The moment is very exciting", - said the awardee.

Karpenko added that she would also like to thank all the home front workers, as well as frontline volunteers, including the Association of Special Military Operation (SVO) volunteers from Novorossiysk, which "came to the rescue at the most necessary moment, when it was very scary in Kursk region."

"And also, Vladimir Vladimirovich, I really want to thank you and congratulate you on the holiday, because only a truly volunteer heart, which burns with love for the Motherland, for people and for all things, can take on such responsibility and put such a load on its shoulders. We love you, we are with you, and we are together," the volunteer said.

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Earlier on December 5 , "Izvestia" published footage of the work of local volunteers in the Kursk region. Volunteers continue to help residents of settlements that have suffered because of the attacks of the AFU. Volunteers of aid centers of the Russian Orthodox Church are engaged in distribution of food and basic necessities to those who need them. Residents who, due to their age, cannot reach the organized centers on their own receive food kits on the spot.

Ukrainian militants attacked Russian positions in the border areas of Kursk Region on August 6. The situation in the region was recognized as a federal emergency. The liquidation of the AFU units that invaded the Russian territory is underway.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the beginning of which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.