Even after getting shot in the face during an attack by Kremlin-back insurgents, 18-year-old Dmytro Makhov kept firing back to save his comrades, who rallied to force the attackers’ retreat.The battle took place on June 16 near Yampil and Kirovsk in Donetsk Oblast, when 13 soldiers were killed, according to a National Security and Defense Council report. Others besides Makhov were injured.

The young man’s bravery in saving his comrades earned him the Order for Courage from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Aug. 12. The award ceremony will take place at a later date.