Voices of Defenders tells the true stories of young people who took a stand to defend Ukraine’s independence, portraying the war not just as a series of combat actions, but as a deeply personal, pulsating experience of memory, pain, and love. Yes, love in all its forms. Listen to these voices. They are important.
Valeriy Puzik, writer, serviceman
Oleksiy Stolyar (Orest)
Narrates the short story “The Mountain” by Andriy Kaspshyshak
He is 28 years old and a captain in the 48th Kamianets-Podilskyi Engineer Brigade. Before the war, he studied agronomy and worked in construction. Since March 1, 2022, Oleksiy has served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participating in the Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive and the defense of the Kharkiv region. He has been awarded the Commander-in-Chief’s badge “For Conscientious Service” and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine’s distinction “For Exemplary Service.” Currently, Oleksiy is undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the Unbroken Center.
About himself, Oleksiy says: “An average Ukrainian. Married. I explore myself and the world around me. I try different spheres of life and new experiences I hadn’t done or been interested in before. I live life while I have the chance. Height — 185 cm. Weight — 94 kg.”
Roksolana Vynnytska (Lastivka)
Narrates the short story “Stabik” by Anastasiya Khlibnyk
She is 28 years old and a combat medic in the Volunteer Medical Battalion “Hospitallers.” Before the war, she studied Social Pedagogy and Practical Psychology at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, worked in IT, and was actively involved in volunteering. Roksolana traveled extensively and devoted herself to hiking and an active lifestyle.
Her combat path began in spring 2023, when she served rotations in MEDEVAC and stabilization points near Avdiivka. Since then, she has periodically assisted at various stages of evacuation and is a co-founder of the charity initiative Somewhere in the East. Today, Roksolana works in IT but continues volunteering and returning to the front. She believes that the unity of Ukrainians is the main path to victory.
Ruslana Danilkina
Narrates the short story “Callsign Knopka” by Iryna Vasechko
She is 22 years old and served in the 197th Territorial Defense Brigade. Before the war, she was training to become a tattoo artist. In early 2022, Rusya joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, served 10 months on the front line, and sustained a severe injury. She is now studying at Odesa National Maritime University and works at the Superhumans rehabilitation center, sharing the lives of people with disabilities on Instagram and supporting those undergoing rehabilitation.
About herself, Rusya says: “I am an ordinary girl who one day decided to become part of the Armed Forces. I didn’t set big expectations for myself; I just wanted to be useful in some way. I was injured, like thousands of people in this country. I pulled myself together, gritted my teeth, and started a new path. I took the first step on a prosthetic and haven’t stopped since. Because I know I am needed by those who don’t know what to do when their life is turned upside down.”
Oleksandr Bazylevych (Сircus)
Narrates the short story “When Death Walks Beside” by Denys Skorbatyuk
He is 26 years old and a senior soldier in the 3rd Special Operations Regiment. Before the war, he studied ecology at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, practiced sports, played guitar, and read books.
He volunteered for the military at the beginning of 2023. Oleksandr served as a special operations group operator, fought in the Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, was injured during the evacuation of a comrade, and was awarded the Order of Courage, 3rd class. After rehabilitation, he continued serving in the patronage service of his unit. Today, Oleksandr works as an IT tester, co-founded an NGO for the development of adaptive sports, and actively plays tennis.
As he says about himself: “I don’t have three limbs, but I swim, ski, and travel actively.”
Ruslan Kukhta
Narrates the short story “About the Historical and Not Quite” by Andriy Sushko
He is 33 years old and a junior sergeant in the 125th Separate Volunteer Mechanized Brigade. After graduating from Lviv National Agrarian University, he worked as a fitter. He has served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for three years, participated in battles on the Lyman, Kharkiv, and Vuhledar directions, was injured, and was awarded the Iron Cross, the Cross of Valor, and the Order of Courage, 3rd class.
He is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Unbroken Center and seeks to discover new abilities within himself. Ruslan believes that victory will come through the continuous collective effort of Ukrainians and the support of the Armed Forces.
Viktor Meshcheryakov (Isus)
Narrates the short story “The Village” by Danylo Stavytsky
He is 27 years old and a soldier in the 25th Airborne Brigade. Before the war, he studied in Kalush, worked as a cook, and was involved in music and songwriting. On the front, he participated in battles on the Pokrovske direction, sustained an injury that led to the amputation of his arm, and was awarded the distinction “For the Defense of Ukraine.”
Viktor is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the Unbroken Center. He has returned to music and painting and even played the role of Kotyhoroshko in a performance by Nazar Pavlyk at the First Theater in Lviv. For him, victory is only possible when Ukrainians are united.
Maksym Fetisov (Shaiba)
Narrates the short story “I’m a Teacher. Not a Hero. I Just Was There” by Ihor Dusan
He is 25 years old and a senior lieutenant in the 80th Air Assault Brigade and the Nachtigall Battalion. Before the war, he studied at the Faculty of Law at Lviv Polytechnic and worked in the Civil Registry Office in Lviv.
Maksym experienced his combat baptism in the Mykolaiv region during the defense against the initial invasion. He later served on the Kherson, Luhansk, and Donetsk fronts. Today, he works as the Head of the Department for Veteran Policy at the Lviv Regional Military Administration.
Maksym jokes that seriousness describes him, but only in rare cases. For him, victory is possible thanks to people who do not remain indifferent and do everything to protect their country.
Kyrylo Baranov (Kh’uston)
Narrates the short story “Last Exit” by Andriy Bodnar
He is 32 years old and a junior lieutenant in the 63rd Mechanized Brigade, 105th Separate Battalion. Before the war, he worked in furniture manufacturing. In February 2022, he went to defend Ukraine, progressing from soldier to company commander and serving on various fronts: Mykolaiv region, Bakhmut, and Lyman. During his service, he was wounded twice and received awards from the state and military command.
Kyrylo is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the Unbroken Center. After recovery, he hopes to return to civilian life and support veterans in reintegrating. For him, victory means believing in oneself and the unity of society.
Svitlana Baranova (Shamanka)
Narrates the short story “Evacuation of Korolko” by Inna Korolenko
She is 28 years old and a sergeant in the 63rd Mechanized Brigade, 105th Separate Battalion. Before the war, she studied at a medical college and combined several jobs: working as a bartender, waitress, and nurse in a hospital. In February 2022, Svitlana took up the defense of Ukraine and immediately joined the combat medics, conducting evacuations of the wounded on the front lines.
She continues to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine while also writing an autobiographical book about the war. Svitlana believes that Ukraine’s victory depends on the desire to stay united and the cohesion of the nation.
Yevheniy Krainov (Viking)
Narrates the short story “Salad” by Volodymyr Saveliev
He is 26 years old and a junior sergeant in the 53rd Mechanized Brigade, Anti-Tank Battalion. Before the war, he studied at the National Academy of the State Tax Service of Ukraine and worked at a factory. In March 2022, Yevheniy joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and has since participated in battles on the Vuhledar, Bakhmut, Klyshchiivka, Avdiivka, Toretsk, and New York directions, sustaining an injury.
Today, he is learning English and adjusting to civilian life. Yevheniy believes that victory will come thanks to people who fight for the nation and justice, and he does everything he can to be useful to society.
