When we discussed admiration and respect in our classroom, emotions surfaced quickly. The question “Who is your hero?” revealed profound vulnerability as students spoke of Ukrainian soldiers defending our homeland, parents creating stability amid chaos, and teachers ensuring learning continues despite air raid sirens.
These written reflections capture what was sometimes too emotional to express aloud. They honour those who demonstrate courage in various forms—from battlefield valour to the quiet determination of maintaining normalcy when nothing feels normal.
Sometimes our heroes are someone who lives next door, sometimes they are our friends and parents or teachers.
Sophia Krasnovyd:
I want to talk about a Hero of Ukraine who was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine during his lifetime. His name is Ilya Balanyk he is from Nizhyn. He had been defending Ukraine since the very beginning of the war, and since 2022, he had been fighting in eastern Ukraine. He saved many of his comrades, and just a few days ago, he was killed on the northeastern front. Furthermore, he defended Ukraine until the very end. They could not be changed in any way, and he didn’t wait the rotation by just a few days before being killed in the Kursk region.
I wanted to mention this because today is his funeral, and I would like to honour his memory in some way. He was my friend, and he was very close to my sister-they were classmates. Until the very end, we supported him with fundraising and other help. He was only 28 years old and had dedicated his entire life to Ukraine. Ilya was a very kind and sincere person who loved life and the people around him. He is survived by his younger brother, aunt, and stepfather.
Eternal memory to the hero of Ukraine.
Kristina Kaliafitska:
A loss that will leave a mark for life: My dad is a war hero
The war is a difficult period for every person living in Ukraine, because this war affected every citizen of Ukraine. It took away the best people and warriors that we will be proud of all our lives, leaving behind only pain, tears and emptiness.
The war took away the dearest person for me, whom I will always be proud of – this is my father. He was a positive person, always smiling and full of lust for life. A man that no one remembers a bad word. My father-hero was a perfect family man, an infinitely loving father and husband. He was, is and will be for me an example of an ideal husband and father for my family in the future.
My dad Andrew was very brave, fair and optimistic. Even when difficulties arose, he always found a solution, saying: “Yes, everything is fine. This can be corrected. ” He always supported me and did not let me lose heart. My father was a man of boundless kindness. He was the best father because he always put his family first and spent his free time with us. He created an atmosphere of love and support for us, doing everything to make our childhood filled with happiness. Dad created the best and most unforgettable moments and emotions for me and my sister. He supported me every minute. When I was worried about the assessment from the control, he said that he believed in me and I would succeed. I remember when I was in the 9th grade, dad went on a military trip, they handed us a document with grades for graduating from high school, and when I sent him a photo of this document, he said that I was young and that he believed in me.
He taught me to be kind to people and to always help those who need it. After all, I saw the more he was kinder to people, the better returned to him. His life is proof that perseverance, sincerity and humanity always lead to success.
He was known by all the inhabitants of our city, even from some villages, because of his kindness. As we went somewhere, he greeted someone in almost every village. When he was gone, everyone was very shocked, because how could it happen so that such a kind and bright person could die. It was suddenly, when the shelling began, all the military scattered to where, everyone except my father. One of the 40 men was shot.
People who knew him could not understand how such great pain could cover our lives. They could not believe that such a strong, kind and brave person would never come to them with a smile and a warm word.
When people came home to spend dad, there were so many that it seemed that the whole city came together. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing my father remembers him as someone who always found a way to support and help. And the most important thing is that he is a Hero with a capital letter.
Olaksandra Ferenets:
I am really proud of our armed forces and everyone, who is fighting for our freedom today is my hero. I remember very clearly, when the first soldier I personally knew died. It was my computer science teacher. I remembered seeing him in the hallways with his bouncy walk and tired-looking face. He was an easy-going teacher; it was hard to make him mad (however our class had successfully accomplished this one time or two). He was always the one teachers called when they had problems with their computers. And there I was, staring at the message which stated that he died somewhere in Kharkiv oblast. Above the message was a photo, probably his last, that showed him standing in camouflage with his weapon next to his companions. I’ve never seen him happier. It was a very strange feeling – realizing that the person, that’s gone, once had such a wide, joyful smile. And that he will never smile that way to his little daughter anymore. During minutes of silence, when I think of everybody we tragically lost I think of my teacher. I know what he fought for and I want to do my best at helping to win this fight.
Liubov Nurmakhamedova:
One of the heroes I admire most is paramedic Iryna Tsybukh, known by her call sign “Cheka.” Tragically, she lost her life on May 29, 2024, during a rotation in the Kharkiv direction, just days before her 26th birthday on June 1.
Before the war, Iryna played a vital role in reforming the Suspilne television and radio company. She filmed a documentary about the children of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The premiere in Severodonetsk was scheduled for February 25, 2022, but the full-scale invasion disrupted those plans.
To me, Iryna Tsybukh represents unwavering dedication to service. She not only provided medical aid to soldiers, but also fought for the recognition of fallen heroes and veterans who sacrificed their lives for Ukraine. She constantly delivered aid, and even carried a trunk full of Christmas gifts to soldiers stationed in remote forests of Donetsk region. Furthermore, she spoke openly about difficult truths, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical memory.
In an interview with ELLE Ukraine on July 30, 2022, Iryna shared her thoughts: “I am just as young a girl as anyone in France or Spain. The only difference is that a totalitarian regime on our border attacked the country I deeply love. I enjoy travelling, but I want to live here. That is why I defend my country, that is why I am ready to die for freedom in my homeland.”
Iryna fulfilled her duty with courage and selflessness. Her perspective on life served as an inspiration to those around her.
Although her life was tragically cut short, her legacy remains alive in the people she influenced, the stories she told, and the impact she left behind. Iryna Tsybukh will always be remembered as a hero who gave everything for the country she loved.
Marichka Shcherbyna:
Many people inspire me now, but one of those, who I look up to most is Maryana Savka — Ukrainian author and the founder of “Old Lion Publishing”. She is an extremely creative and talented person, who seems to be able to do literally everything: she writes poems and prose, draws, sings, dances, organizes amazing events and at the same time permanently volunteers for the Ukrainian armed forces. She is always active, involved in different creative and voluntary projects and always has millions of ideas that definitely will be realized. She supports and organizes charitable events, while studying and developing in different spheres. It seems that she is everywhere, doing everything for everyone, but despite being so busy and active every minute, she always has time to talk to people, to support them, to ask how they feel, to help. She is a real role model for me that aspires to learn, to create, to help others every day.
Another person that I admire a lot is also Ukrainian writer Arthur Dron. When the full-scale war began, he joined the Ukrainian armed forces to defend our country. Later, his collection of poems was published, and this is a special book with the texts about people at war, about their feelings, stories of their lives, dreams, pains, and hopes. But the most special thing about this book is the fact that all the money from sales goes to a charity fund — “Voices of children”. The great aim is to help children, who suffered from the war, to give them love, care and opportunities to have a childhood. Moreover, all money collected during Arthur’s literary events are also supporting this fund. I am really inspired by so many kind actions he does. It is especially touching that he helps children and defends us, developing Ukrainian culture and literature at the same time. His charitable activities, wonderful poems and kind heart fascinate and inspire me a lot.
Sophia Chornopolska:
When I was 13 years old, I went to learn music at Rock School in Kyiv. The facility also used to organize summer Rock Camps for teenagers, and I’ve participated in two of them. It was a spectacular activity. We had to form bands, rehearse for a week, and then have a final concert, where one band would be proclaimed a winner. I still have so many friends and memories from that place.
The head of the Rock School was named Volodymyr Bulba. He had incredible amounts of enthusiasm about what he was doing. Volodymyr genuinely wanted to endorse the interest in music in youngsters: apart from running the Rock School and its summer camps, he organized recordings, battles, and concerts for young musicians. His political stance was unyielding as well: from the very beginning of the war Volodymyr supported Ukrainian soldiers and political prisoners. He had a funny small daughter, a wife, and a dog.
When the full-scale war began, Volodymyr went to the battlefield himself. He was killed in March of 2023. We all, the Rock School kids, still miss him and the times he let us have. Yet, his deeds will forever live with us.
Veronika Martynova:
Roman and Vasyl Ratushnyi died in war, struck down by enemy weapons. But does death alone make them heroes?
I first learned about Roman before the full-scale war in the context of his actions to preserve Protasiv Yar. Back then, developers intended to build three buildings 40 stories high on this green slope. He gave the impression of a man with not only the will to make a difference, but also the strength to act with consistency and principle.
After his death in July 2022, I learned more about his life story, about his involvement in the Revolution of Dignity, about his human rights activities, and about the desire for change in this country.
Roman’s brother Vasyl died very recently. At the funeral of Vasyl Ratushnyi, his mother Svitlana Povalyaeva said that there was no need for crying and whining — Vasyl died covering his two comrades, just in the way he would want to. And father Taras Ratushnyi said the words, that, I think, are important to us as a call to action: “We have to become a nation of warriors. Take the place on the wall that is being vacated.”
In my opinion, heroism should not only inspire respect, but also encourage action, to continue the work that has been started. We can observe a minute of silence, say the slogan “Glory to the Heroes!”, and mourn the dead without ceasing, and yet, because of our detachment, we cannot see what these people would have wanted in the first place. No words will be enough to express our condolences to the parents of the deceased Roman and Vasyl, no tears can bring people back. Ask yourself what was valuable to us about these specific heroes, what made us admire them, and now do it when they no longer can. Now it is our responsibility to keep the idea alive, and the best way to pay our respects is to turn it into action.
Elizabeth Shramko:
The person that I consider my role model in our harsh reality is my best friend, Anastasia, who is a politically active person and does her best to fight for the future of our country.
For more than a year already, she’s an active participant in the legal proceedings against the political prisoner and the soldier Roman Cherwinskyi as a part of his defenders. Despite these processes taking so long, her determination and support for him are unwavering. Anastasia also speaks up about politics in her social media and gives interviews to various TV channels, including the popular ones.
I find such a strong position and active participation in important political matters admirable. It takes a lot of courage and resilience to stand up and fight for what’s right. This is precisely why Anastasia is my role model in the military realities of today.
Аnna Haidai:
My Stellar Figure
I was always distant with my father. I can’t say that he didn’t love me. Rather, he just didn’t know how to show it, or he showed it in his own way. At least for a very long period of my life, he was barely around.
When I had my kindergarten graduation, my father was at work. When boys bullied me, he was busy with his own affairs. When the war started, he went to the front. In my child’s mind, it felt like “Dad left me.” I thought that he was constantly choosing something else over me, and it hurt.
Then my sister suggested taking part in the “Antitvir” project by the Book Arsenal, and I wrote an essay where I completely rethought my father’s love for me as his child.
From my memories:
“For the first time, I was able to see my father on the fourth day after the full-scale invasion began. My brother and I were bringing a package of food and power banks to their brigade. I saw him instantly, and my heart started beating a hundred times faster.
He was holding a cigarette. Hmm, so strange… The last time I saw him smoking was back in 2014. He hugged us tightly and once again reassured us that everything would be fine. He asked us to go to the shelter in case of an air raid alert and not to ignore this rule. We listened carefully and tried to stay cheerful. But as soon as he said goodbye, I started crying like a six-year-old child. The kind of crying that forms a lump in your throat, making it impossible to say what scared me more — how he feels now or what would happen to him later.”
Terrible things happened to my father at the front. He suffered a stroke. Then he went through a long rehabilitation, the uncertainty of what would happen next, and the struggle to accept his body after the changes caused by the war.
Only now do I understand that he never wanted to be away from us.
He simply wanted US to exist.
To exist after him.
To exist in the future.
He took responsibility for that.
My father made me accept his choice. And he also taught me to choose what I love. To always choose. With every word, every thought, every action.
Serhii Savchenko:
The person I respect the most
The person I respect the most is my father. He is not just my dad; he is my role model, my guide, and the man who shaped me into who I am today. From an early age, he taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of standing up for what is right. His words and actions always reflected the values that define me now freedom, justice, and personal growth.
My father grew up in Ukraine, a country that has always valued strength and determination. He taught me to never take our freedom for granted and to always be ready to defend it. His stories about the past, about our family’s struggles and victories, made me understand that real strength is not just about physical power but about responsibility and loyalty.
One of the things I admire most about him is his unwavering dedication to his principles. Whether in tough times or moments of success, he remained the same strong-willed, fair, and always ready to help. He showed me that being a man means making decisions and standing by them.
Now, as I prepare for my own journey, I carry his lessons with me. He gave me a clear direction, shaped my mindset, and made me who I am a person who knows what he wants and is ready to fight for it.
My father is not just my parent. He is my greatest teacher, and no matter where life takes me, his influence will always be my guiding force
Liza Kolomiets:
The person I admire is Margaret Hilda Thatcher. She was the first woman to become prime minister of a European country. She was also known as the “Iron Lady”. During her premiership, she implemented a number of conservative measures that became part of the Thatcherite policy
Victoria Vasylenko:
The person I love and admire the most is my mother. She is a very hardworking and successful woman. By profession, she is a psychologist, and she does her job very well. She helps people, and I think this is an essential and kind profession.
I admire my mother not only because of her work, but also because she has overcome many difficulties in life. Even when things were hard, she never gave up. She managed to achieve her goals, build a happy family with my father, and raise children with love and care. Despite her busy life, she always finds time for her family.
My mother is a strong and inspiring person. She teaches me that hard work and determination can help achieve anything in life. I am very proud of her and grateful for everything she does for our family.
Victoria Velichko:
Without any doubt or hesitation, for all Ukrainians and for me, the military are the most important heroes. And I am immensely grateful that, even now, I can write this text.
In this story, I want to tell you about a woman who helped me realize in the 8th grade that I was Ukrainian, that my native language was an exquisite treasure. Nadiia Vasylivna Skoboleva-Sologub, a Ukrainian language teacher, was one of the 10 best teachers in Ukraine during the term of President Leonid Kuchma. A woman of indomitable spirit, conscious, strong, steadfast in her principles, infinitely wise, free from other primitive thoughts. Having lived in the Soviet Union, Nadiia Vasylivna realized all its blackness, writing brilliant, courageous poems about all the evils of the soviet party, about the weaknesses of our Ukrainian insecurities, and about the fact that, of course, we have been and will be despite everything, but, unfortunately, there is no published collection of her poems. There have been attempts to publish her works, but ultimately failed. I dream that one day every Ukrainian will read her poems.
I think her main principle is to live righteously, without humiliating oneself in this world, knowing one’s own value, respecting and enriching one’s Ukrainianness. That’s what she told me: “I dream of seeing Ukraine as Ukrainian.” Living in a small village, she helps me to acquire knowledge of the Ukrainian language and literature. If someone asks me what a real lesson should look like, I will say that I have attended one, and I know what a real teacher should be like. Thanks to her lessons, I realized that there is russia. I believe that it is extremely important for a teacher to be able to come down from the heights of all their knowledge to explain things to their students in a clear language, and only then gradually climb together.
Viktoriia Romas:
Throughout the years of the war, many Ukrainians became heroes, were examples of courage and patriotism. We can mention the names of Roman Ratushny, a public activist and military man, or military man Dmytro Kotsiubaylo (Da Vinci) and many others.
But personally, for me, a hero is my friend, who died in March 2022 near Mariupol. His name was Ivan, he was my classmate. He served in the Azov regiment and died defending our country. He was always brave, determined and loved our homeland. I am proud to have known him, and we were friends. I will always remember him as a hero of Ukraine.
Alina Hostar:
Living now, I can’t talk about heros and not mention our brave and graceful soldiers. Men and women. Especially women who fight for my existence despite all the sexism that still lives in our society. However, I don’t want to forget about other very important people in my life. At the start of the main invasion our main bridge had been destroyed by Russian bombing, so we hadn’t had any opportunity to get food because many groceries were completely empty by the first few days. We had been worried about inevitable starvation, but one of our neighbours had a bread producing factory, so she brought us fresh bread from there for free. She was our hero that day and many more. And, of course, how can I forget about my mum? When the war hit our town, I was only sixteen. My mother was the woman who calmed me down and remained rational in the darkest times. She helped me during the bombing, she drove us to Cherkasy when we couldn’t bide any more and helped me return the feeling of home when we returned to Chernihiv.
War broke us in many ways but also showed the inner hero in many kind people.
