Our Brave Children

Mykhailo Zherdytsky
Mykhailo loves reading, especially books about adventures and history. Sport is taking a big part of his life - he plays football and tennis. Like many kids his age, Mykhailo enjoys computer games, and he dreams of becoming a programmer.
Mykhailo’s father, Yaroslav Zherdytsky, was the Commander of an Infantry Platoon in the 47th Brigade. He gave his life defending Ukraine on June 9, 2023.

Anyutka Opanasenko
Anyutka is an energetic and creative girl. Open and joyful, she meets everything new with interest and a smile. She loves dancing and spending time with friends. Her biggest dream is to have a furry companion — a dog.
Her father, Oleksiy Opanasenko, bravely gave his life defending Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia region on June 28, 2023.

Danylo Zherdytsky
Danylo is a positive and friendly boy. He loves drawing and also enjoys playing games with other children. He is good at tennis and hopes to start swimming lessons. Like many kids, he enjoys computer games, but his biggest dream is to become a chef.
Danylo’s father, Yaroslav Zherdytsky, was the Commander of an Infantry Platoon in the 47th Brigade. He gave his life defending Ukraine on June 9, 2023.

Elizaveta Mashina
Elizaveta is a bright girl who loves to dance, draw, and learn poems. She is sociable and enjoys being in the spotlight. Although she is little, she is interested in many things and loves trying new activities.
Her father, Junior Sergeant Sergey Mashina, died defending Ukraine near Robotino on September 11, 2023.

Oleksandr Badulin
Oleksandr is a brave and kind ten-year-old boy who is passionate about sports. He trains hard on the football field with his friends and dreams of becoming a professional player one day. Even after his father’s loss, he remains strong, brave, and hopeful for the future.
His father, Dmytro Badulin, was the Crew Commander of a Bradley in the 47th Brigade. He died defending Ukraine on July 22, 2023.

Kharideas Nazarenko
Kharideas is a kind and thoughtful boy. He enjoys swimming and playing ice hockey. He is also fond of drawing, and his notebooks are filled with airplanes and blue-and-yellow flags. Even at his young age, he already knows the hardship of living apart from his father.
His father, Sergyi Nazarenko, was a marine who fought bravely in the Kherson direction.

Vasylysa Nazarenko
Vasylysa is a talented and creative girl. She loves drawing, and her pictures are full of bright colors and warmth. She also has a strong passion for dancing. Music and dance make her happy and blossom. Vasylysa’s art and dance are a way of bringing beauty and kindness into the world.
Her father, Sergiy Nazarenko, was a Marine who fought in the Kherson direction.

Ilya Melnyk
Ilya is a clever and intelligent boy. He studies German, plays the guitar, and is writing a book based on Stalker. He is active in school life — a co-author of the exhibition “Paths of War”, host of the school radio, and deputy of his class.
His father, Andriy Melnyk, has been defending Ukraine since 2022, taking part in the Great Counteroffensive and the defense of the Zaporizhzhia region.

Yaroslav Sazhchenko
Yaroslav is a gifted and goal-oriented boy. His passion is parkour: He trains for hours without getting tired and makes his mother proud of his achievements. The freedom of movement and the challenge of overcoming obstacles are what make him truly happy. He also has a phenomenal memory that helps him in his studies.
His father died in the line of duty, protecting Ukraine.

Artur Ryaboy
Arthur is a thoughtful and smart boy. He loves reading books about history and adventure. They open new worlds for him and inspire his future goals. He wants to be educated and make a better difference for a renewed Ukraine.
His father, Mykola Ryaboy, became a volunteer in 2014 and later joined the 72nd Brigade, which in 2022 took part in the heroic defense of Kyiv.

Roman Oliynyk
Roman is a very clever boy. He loves to study. His favorite subjects are history and literature. In his free time from studies, he plays football with his peers. He is proud of his father and dreams of becoming a soldier when he grows up.
His father, Yuriy Oliynyk, was a brave warrior. Together with his brothers in arms, he went from the defense of Kyiv to the battles for Robotino and Avdiivka. He died while serving in May 2024.

Tadei Alekseev
Tadei is a cheerful second-grader full of energy and curiosity. He already plays tennis, has started folk dancing, and dreams of trying boxing and drawing as well.
His father, Mykhailo Alekseiev (callsign “Rembrandt”) was a man of courage and devotion. In March 2025, he gave his life on the Zaporizhzhia front, heroically covering a wounded brother-in-arms. Tadei’s childhood should be filled with discovery, learning, and joy.

Yesenia Melnyk
Yesenia is a gifted and disciplined girl. She loves playing the piano and drawing funny animals. Her outstanding imagination helps her create wonderful interactive books. Sport has been a big part of her life since the age of four, and she already has many awards and achievements in rhythmic gymnastics.
Her father, Andriy Melnyk, has been defending Ukraine since 2022. He took part in the Great Counteroffensive and the defense of the Zaporizhzhia region.

Matei Alekseev
Matei is the youngest in the family — a true ray of sunshine. He is the most positive, cheerful, and carefree among them, filling the home with laughter and warmth.
His father, Mykhailo Alekseiev (callsign “Rembrandt”), was a combat medic, a participant of the Orange Revolution, the Revolution of Dignity, and the Anti-Terrorist Operation. In March 2025, he gave his life on the Zaporizhzhia front, heroically covering a wounded brother-in-arms.
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Kvitoslava Hayda
Kvitoslava was born in a difficult time for the whole world. She is still very small and every day is an interesting discovery for her. The first smile, the first step, the first word. Her whole life is open to her.
Her father, Denys Hayda, has been defending Ukraine since 2014. In Ukraine, he is called a "cyborg" because he defended Donetsk airport.

Daryna Rubashevska
A cheerful and talented girl who loves to draw, practices dancing and swimming. She adores adventures and enjoys discovering new places while traveling with her mother.
Her father Dmytro Rubashevskyi (“Hans”) was fought from 2016, in the hottest spots of the frontline: Butivka, Pisky, Avdiivka, Mariupol and Azovstal. He was killed on April 12, 2022, during a combat mission in the Kharkiv region.

Lukas Alekseev
Lukas will soon turn 12 years old.
He has been dancing ballroom for 4.5 years and has already achieved incredible results: World Champion in England, 2nd place at the World Championship in the Netherlands, and finalist at every international competition he has attended.
Lukas studies well at school and dreams of fulfilling his father’s dream — to become a well-known ballroom dance coach.
His father, Mykhailo Alekseiev (callsign “Rembrandt”), was a Hero of Ukraine and a combat medic who gave his life defending his brother-in-arms on the Zaporizhzhia front in March 2025.

Melana Alekseev
Now she is in the 11th grade and dreams of studying International Relations. Melana was very close with her father, who always supported and encouraged her. Today, she is working hard to prepare for university admission, determined to achieve success and make her dream come true.
Her father, Mykhailo Alekseiev (“Rembrandt”), was a combat medic, a participant of the Orange Revolution, the Revolution of Dignity, and the Anti-Terrorist Operation. In March 2025, he gave his life on the Zaporizhzhia front, heroically covering a wounded brother-in-arms.

Olivia Starkina
Little Olivia is a brave girl who already knows what love and waiting mean. Her grandfather has been defending Ukraine for the third year in a row.
Olivia loves to draw, and her colorful drawings travel to the frontlines, bringing warmth and memories of home to her grandfather.
She doesn’t like taking photos, but her eyes speak of love, longing, and a child’s hope for peace.

Volodymyr Kapustiak
Volodymyr is a curious and bright boy who loves to play, build, and explore the world around him. His smile brings warmth to everyone nearby — a small reflection of the courage and kindness he inherited from his father.
His father, Yuriy Kapustyak, was a participant in the Russian-Ukrainian war. He went from an ordinary soldier to the commander of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion named after the Hero of Ukraine “Da Vinci.”
A true leader and patriot, he is a Knight of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, awarded the Order “For Courage” (3rd degree) and the title of People’s Hero of Ukraine.
Volodymyr grows up surrounded by love and support, carrying in his heart the strength of his father’s legacy. With our help, he can have a childhood filled with care, learning, and new dreams.

Tadei Alekseiev
Little Olivia is a brave girl who already knows what love and waiting mean. Her grandfather has been defending Ukraine for the third year in a row.
Olivia loves to draw, and her colorful drawings travel to the frontlines, bringing warmth and memories of home to her grandfather.
She doesn’t like taking photos, but her eyes speak of love, longing, and a child’s hope for peace.

Kypriyan Alekseiev
Kypriyan is a kind and intelligent boy who studies well at school and loves swimming and playing tennis. In the future, he dreams of becoming a doctor — to help others, just like his Hero father once did.
His father, Mykhailo Alekseiev (callsign “Rembrandt”), was a combat medic, a participant in the Orange Revolution, the Revolution of Dignity, and the Anti-Terrorist Operation. In March 2025, he gave his life on the Zaporizhzhia front, heroically shielding a wounded brother-in-arms.
Every time we meet Kypriyan, we see the same warmth and quiet strength his father carried. His bright eyes reflect courage and kindness — the legacy of a Hero.

Tetiana Yarova
Tetiana is the eldest daughter of a Ukrainian defender. She is bright, motivated, and full of curiosity. She loves learning foreign languages — English and Spanish — and enjoys reading fiction in English. Her notebooks are filled with thoughts, notes, and dreams for the future.
Her father, Vitalii Yarovyi, has been defending Ukraine since 2022. He fought bravely in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. During a fierce battle in Donetsk, fewer than ten soldiers from his unit made it out alive — Vitalii, their commander, among them. His courage and leadership continue to inspire everyone who knows his story.
Despite all challenges, Tetiana keeps moving forward — inspired by her father’s strength and guided by her own love for learning and hope for peace.

Vlad Yarovyi
Vlad is a thoughtful and creative young boy. He loves reading novels in Ukrainian and has a deep appreciation for stories about courage and kindness. Along with his love for books, Vlad is mastering the art of hairstyling — a craft that lets him express his creativity and care for others.
His father, Vitalii Yarovyi, has been defending Ukraine since 2022. He fought bravely in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. During a fierce battle in Donetsk, fewer than ten soldiers from his unit survived — among them was Vitalii, their commander. His courage continues to inspire his children every day.

Yevhen Yarovyi
Yevhen is the younger son in the Yarovyi family — a bright and thoughtful boy who loves building LEGO, painting by numbers, and playing football. His curiosity and creativity make every day a new discovery.
His father, Vitalii Yarovyi, has been defending Ukraine since 2022. He fought bravely in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. During a fierce battle in Donetsk, fewer than ten soldiers from his unit survived — and Vitalii, their commander, was among them. His courage and resilience continue to guide and inspire his children every day.

The «Brave Children of Ukraine» foundation now supports more than 200 children
and we simply cannot publish stories about each one fast enough.