High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Hero of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Герой України, transliteration: Heroy Ukrayiny) is the highest state decoration that can be conferred upon an individual citizen by the Government of Ukraine. The title was created in 1998 by President Leonid Kuchma and as of August 25 2011 the total number of awards is 265. The award is divided into two classes of distinction: one for heroism and the other for achievement in labor. There has been controversy over some of the awards, including allegations that they have either been politically motivated or given to those undeserving of the award.