Ukrainians seek recognition for fallen soldiers

Ukrainian actor Anna Birzul walks to a grave of her younger brother Bohdan Krotov, a Ukrainian combat medic who was killed in a fight against Russian troops near the Bakhmut town, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at a cemetery in Kyiv, Ukraine December 28, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - After her younger brother was killed in November fighting Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, Anna Birzul spent two days stricken with grief.

Then she sprang into action, penning a petition asking President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to award 29-year-old Bohdan Krotov the highest military honour, Hero of Ukraine.