Top peacekeeping awards for military and police
On June 5, Secretary-General António Guterres will honor two peacekeepers with the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage, the highest award bestowed by the United Nations on peacekeeping forces.
The ceremony will take place at United Nations Headquarters from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm EST and will be broadcast live on UN Web TV.
Sergii Prykhodko, Ukraine – Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Valor
Mr. Prykhodko was a private contractor with a helicopter crew who served with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
In March 2025, Prykhodko volunteered to replace a less experienced colleague during a high-risk air evacuation to remove a group of besieged soldiers in Upper Nile State.
He was killed and two crewmates were injured when his helicopter was attacked during the mission, which had been guaranteed safe passage. Their actions and willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to carry out the mission helped save lives amid escalating violence in the area.
Sergeant Matías Reyes, Uruguay – Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage
Sergeant Reyes was stationed in Goma with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in January 2025 when he witnessed fierce clashes between the Congolese Armed Forces and the M23 armed group.
While helping secure the entrance to the MONUSCO base, Sgt. Reyes repeatedly braved intense fire and rescued wounded Congolese soldiers seeking shelter inside the UN mission’s base.
Despite the risks, he helped transport 12 seriously injured soldiers back to the temporary medical tent set up by UN troops, going above and beyond the call of duty and saving lives in the process.
A representative of the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations is expected to receive the medal on behalf of Sgt. Reyes, who still serves under the blue flag in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Major Abhilasha Barak, India – Military Gender Advocate of the Year
As Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the Indian Battalion in South Lebanon, Major Barak integrates gender perspectives into military operations, patrols and civil-military activities.
She has led extensive outreach efforts, engaging more than 5,000 women and girls through vocational training, education and health programs that support post-conflict empowerment and recovery.
Major Barak has also introduced innovative protection mechanisms, including an artificial intelligence-powered platform, the Lebanon Gender Initiative, which allows women and children to confidentially report gender-based violence, while offering complaint tracking, access to helpline services, self-defense resources and educational materials.
Inspector Stephanie Königs, Germany – UN Police Woman of the Year
Inspector Königs has been recognized for her outstanding leadership and contribution to the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), where she was deployed from September 2024 to March 2026 as a patrol team leader.
He strengthened field operations by introducing structured patrol systems and better coordination with the mission’s military peacekeeping forces, and his leadership contributed to strengthening early warning mechanisms, supporting mission-level decision-making during periods of crisis.
Operating in a high-risk, politically sensitive environment, Inspector Königs has demonstrated that women can lead frontline policing efforts with confidence and authority, strengthening both mission effectiveness and trust with local communities.