The UN honors the blue helmets and calls for new investment in peace

The highest peacekeeping award for military and police

On June 5, Secretary General Antonio Guterres will honor the two peacekeepers with the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Gallantry, the UN’s highest Peacekeeping award.

The ceremony will be held at UN Headquarters from 10:00 to 12:00 EST and broadcast live on UN Web TV.

Sergii Prykhodko, Ukraine – Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Bravery

Mr. Prykhodko is a private contractor with a helicopter crew serving in the UN Mission in South Sudan (DON’T MISS).

In March 2025, Prykhodko volunteered to replace his less experienced colleague in a high-risk air evacuation to extricate a group of besieged soldiers in Upper Nile State.

He was killed and two of his crew members were injured when their helicopter was attacked during the mission – which had been guaranteed a safe passage. His actions and willingness to put himself in danger to carry out a mission helped save lives amidst increasing violence in the region.

Sergeant Matias Reyes, Uruguay – Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Bravery

Sergeant Reyes is 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 MONUSCO base entrance, Sgt. Reyes repeatedly faced heavy fire and rescued wounded Congolese soldiers who had sought refuge at the UN mission base.

Despite the risks, he helped carry 12 seriously injured soldiers back to a temporary medical tent set up by UN troops, going above and beyond the call of duty and saving lives in the process.

Representatives from Uruguay’s Permanent Mission to the UN are expected to receive the medal on behalf of Sgt. Reyes is still serving under the blue flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Major Abhilasha Barak, India – Military Gender Advocate of the Year

Serving as the Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point in an Indian Battalion in southern Lebanon, Major Barak integrated 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 AI-based platform, the Lebanese Gender Initiative, which allows women and children to report gender-based violence confidentially, while offering complaint tracking, access to helpline services, self-defense resources, and educational materials.

Inspector Stephanie Königs, Germany – UN Female Police Officer of the Year

Inspector Königs has been recognized for his leadership and outstanding contributions in implementing the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), where he was assigned from September 2024 to March 2026 as Patrol Team Leader.

He strengthened field operations through the introduction of a structured patrol system and improved coordination with military peacekeeping forces at the mission, and his leadership contributed to strengthening early warning mechanisms, supporting mission-level decision-making during periods of crisis.

Operating in a high-risk and politically sensitive environment, Inspector Königs has demonstrated that women can lead frontline policing efforts with confidence and authority, strengthening mission effectiveness and local community trust.