Our Brave Children

Maksym Terendii
Maksym is a thoughtful and calm boy who is still discovering his interests and learning about the world around him. Despite the difficulties of growing up during the war, he remains kind and curious, continuing to learn and grow.
His father went missing while defending Ukraine in November 2024 during a combat mission near the settlement of Daryino.

Anastasiia Nykolyshyn
Anastasiia is a gentle five-year-old girl with a warm smile and a kind heart. She is still discovering the world around her through love, care, and her family's support.
Her father died defending Ukraine in April 2023 after serving in the Bakhmut and Lyman regions. He passed away in a hospital during a surgical operation.

Maksym Nykolyshyn
Maksym is a kind and bright six-year-old boy with a gentle heart. He looks at the world with warmth and trust and dreams of growing up to be like his father — strong, brave, and caring.
His father died defending Ukraine in April 2023 after serving in the Bakhmut and Lyman regions. He passed away in a hospital during a surgical operation.

Tetiana Terendii
Tetiana is a kind and hardworking girl. She enjoys learning and tries her best at school. She is especially interested in English and likes practicing new words. Even at her young age, she continues to study and dream about her future.
Her father, Ihor Terendii, is a Marine with the 36th Marine Brigade who took part in combat operations and is currently listed as missing in action.

Artem Pastushchak
Artem is a thoughtful and focused boy who truly loves playing chess. The game teaches him patience, strategy, and concentration — qualities that help him grow stronger and more confident every day.
His father, Vitalii Pastushchak, stepped forward to defend Ukraine in 2022. He was killed during an artillery strike in the Luhansk region while protecting his homeland.

Roman Ivantsov
Roman is an active and energetic boy who loves football. He trains regularly, travels to tournaments, and also enjoys playing table tennis. Roman attends extra English classes and is always eager to learn and improve.
His father died defending Ukraine in May 2022. He is buried at the Alley of Glory in Dubno and was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage” (III degree).

Alina Havryliak
Alina is a gentle and bright girl who loves dancing. Through movement and music, she expresses her emotions and finds strength and joy. Dancing helps her stay confident and continue moving toward her dreams.
Her father died defending Ukraine in June 2023 near the village of Khromove in the Bakhmut district. He was posthumously awarded the Medal “For Courage” and the “Combatant’s Cross.”

Alisa Solodka
Alisa is a little girl whose childhood began during the war. She is still very young, discovering the world through love, care, and the warmth of her family. Her eyes remind us that behind every name there is a family — and behind every child, a story of loss, strength, and hope.
Alisa`s father stepped forward to defend Ukraine in 2022. He was killed in the Donetsk region, in the city of Dobropillia, while protecting his country.

Olha-Renata Ivantsova
Olha-Renata is an active and determined girl who loves martial arts. She practices wushu, takes part in competitions, and works hard to improve her skills. She also studies English and German. Olha-Renata dreams of growing strong, confident, and successful in everything she does.
Her father died defending Ukraine in May 2022. He is buried at the Alley of Glory in Dubno. He was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage” (III degree).

Mariika Velychko
Mariika is a cheerful little girl growing up surrounded by the love and strength of her family. She enjoys playing, discovering the world, and bringing joy to those around her. Mariika is the granddaughter of Mykola Velychko, a Ukrainian defender who has been in captivity since 2022 during the defense of Mariupol.
Her grandfather has been defending Ukraine since 2016 and is still waiting to return home.

Sofiia Svitenko
Sofiia is a bright and gentle girl who truly loves dancing. She trains professionally and finds joy, freedom, and confidence in every movement. Dance is her way of expressing emotions and staying strong.
Her father, Serhii, stepped forward to defend Ukraine. He is currently listed as missing in action, and the family continues to live with hope and painful uncertainty.

Viktoriia Voloshyna
Viktoriia is a quiet and brave girl who is currently bedridden with an illness and requires constant medical care. Her days are difficult, but she continues to show strength and patience. Viktoriia depends on the love and support of her family as she continues treatment.
Her father went missing while defending Ukraine in 2025 during a combat mission and is still listed as missing.

Sviatoslav Yurkiv
Sviatoslav is studying to become an auto mechanic. He works hard to gain a profession and build an independent future. Despite difficult life circumstances, he stays focused on his goals. Today, he lives with his 76-year-old grandfather, who cares for him and supports him.
His father, Volodymyr, defended the Donetsk airport in 2014. He went missing defending Ukraine near Kramatorsk in February 2022.

Mykhailo Bohun
Mykhailo is a curious and hardworking boy who enjoys studying. He is especially interested in mathematics and English. In his free time, he likes fishing and spending time outdoors. Mykhailo looks toward the future with determination and quiet strength.
His father, Eduard Kerimov, died defending Ukraine in 2022 near the village of Vovchorivka in the Luhansk region.

Olena Ponizovska
Olena is a strong and determined young athlete who trains professionally in taekwondo. Through discipline and hard work, she has already won many competitions, proving that perseverance leads to victory.
Her father currently serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. While he defends the country, Olena continues to fight her own battles — on the mat, with courage, focus, and self-belief.

Sviatoslav Pochernin
Sviatoslav is an energetic and determined boy who loves football. He trains every day and always tries to improve his skills. Football brings him joy and helps him stay focused on his dreams.
His father began defending Ukraine in 2015 during the Anti-Terrorist Operation and later became a platoon commander in the 14th Mechanized Brigade. He died defending Ukraine in 2022 on the Kharkiv front.

Maksym Maliiskyi
Maksym is a gentle and creative boy who loves drawing and music. He enjoys expressing himself through art and sees the world through colors and sounds. Even at a young age, he shows great imagination and talent. Maksym continues to dream, create, and remember his father with love.
His father became a defender in the Armed Forces in 2022 and died defending Ukraine on June 2, 2024, in the Donetsk region.

Yaryna Solodka
Yaryna is a talented and dedicated young pianist. She studies music professionally, wins competitions, and truly lives through every note she plays. Her dream is deeply personal — to compose a melody dedicated to her father.
Her father stepped up to defend Ukraine on February 26, 2022.
A year later, he heroically gave his life on the Donetsk frontline.

Matvii Lakhman
Matvii is a gentle and bright boy with special developmental needs. Though he is seven, his development corresponds to that of a much younger child, and he currently does not speak. Matvii urgently requires ongoing medical care and support.
His father went to defend Ukraine in 2023. During combat he was captured, and since then the family has had no confirmed information about him. He is considered missing.

Karolina Kozyreva
Karolina is a bright and motivated girl who loves studying. She especially enjoys English and mathematics and always tries to learn more. She is strong and hopeful. Karolina dreams of having her own home and, above all, of peace in Ukraine.
Her father died defending Ukraine in 2023 in the Zaporizhzhia region. Her godfather and uncle were also killed defending Ukraine in Mariupol.

Victoria Nishtuk
Victoria is an active and determined girl who trains in volleyball professionally and dreams of becoming a well-known athlete one day. Her strength, dedication, and discipline mirror the courage of her father — a Hero of Ukraine.
Her father, Ruslan Nishtuk, stepped forward to defend Ukraine in June 2022. He fought in the Donetsk region, near Hryhorivka in the Bakhmut district. On May 23, 2023, he heroically gave his life for his country.

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, was a combat medic and 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 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 the 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 is an active and talented boy who loves ballroom dancing. He has been training for several years and has already achieved impressive results, becoming a World Champion in England and winning prizes at international competitions. Lukas dreams of becoming a well-known ballroom dance coach.
His father, Mykhailo Alekseiev, a Hero of Ukraine and combat medic, died defending Ukraine in March 2025 on the Zaporizhzhia front while protecting a wounded fellow soldier.

Melana Alekseev
Melana is an ambitious and hardworking girl who is now in the 11th grade. She dreams of studying International Relations and is preparing for university admission. Melana was very close to her father, who always supported her.
Her father, Mykhailo Alekseiev, was a combat medic and a participant of the Orange Revolution, the Revolution of Dignity, and the Anti-Terrorist Operation. He died defending Ukraine in March 2025 on the Zaporizhzhia front.

Olivia Starkina
Little Olivia is a brave girl who already knows what love and waiting mean. She loves to draw, and her colorful drawings reach the front lines, bringing warmth and memories of home to her grandfather.
Her grandfather has been defending Ukraine for the third year in a row.

Volodymyr Kapustiak
Volodymyr is a curious and cheerful boy who loves to play, build, and explore the world around him. He enjoys discovering new things and learning through games and creativity. He grows up surrounded by love and support.
His father, Yuriy Kapustyak, is a defender of Ukraine. He is a Knight of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, awarded the Order “For Courage” (III degree) and the title of People’s Hero of Ukraine.

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. He enjoys swimming and playing tennis and dreams of becoming a doctor to help others. Curious and hardworking, Kypriyan looks to the future with hope and determination.
His father, Mykhailo Alekseiev, a combat medic and participant of the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity, died defending Ukraine in March 2025 on the Zaporizhzhia front.

Tetiana Yarova
Tetiana is a bright and motivated girl who loves learning foreign languages. She studies English and Spanish and enjoys reading fiction in English. Curious and hardworking, she continues to grow through learning and dreams of a peaceful future.
Her father, Vitalii Yarovyi, has been defending Ukraine since 2022 and fought in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions, surviving a fierce battle in Donetsk.

Vlad Yarovyi
Vlad is a thoughtful and creative boy who loves reading Ukrainian novels. He enjoys stories about courage and kindness and often spends time with books. He is learning the craft of hairstyling, where he can express his creativity and care for others.
His father, Vitalii Yarovyi, has been defending Ukraine since 2022 and fought in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions.

Yevhen Yarovyi
Yevhen is a bright and curious boy who enjoys building LEGO, painting by numbers, and playing football. He loves discovering new things and using his imagination in games and creativity. He grows up surrounded by the love and support of his family.
His father, Vitalii Yarovyi, has been defending Ukraine since 2022 and fought in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions.

The «Brave Children of Ukraine» foundation now supports more than 280 children
and we simply cannot publish stories about each one fast enough.