What does this mean? "ЗАХИСНИКУ ВIТЧИЗНИ"

[roger9344]

I got this medal as part of a group of awards for an individual. It was awarded in 1999, and I cannot translate the words

"ЗАХИСНИКУ ВIТЧИЗНИ"

It was awarded by the President of the Ukraine in 1999.
Awardee is, I think, Mikhail Andreyovich Sazotsov

It the medal named after a person, perhaps?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

[KradSpam]

Google translates says 'Defender Fatherland'.

This link may be useful.

Medal for the Defender of the Motherland

[ph3s]

No the medal ain't named after, not a common practise in postSU.

[roger9344]

Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate your assistance. I haven't seen any other Post USSR medals, this was part of a group to a Russian Army vet.