Daria Astafieva Receives Prestigious State Award
On November 9, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree awarding Daria Astafieva, the singer, TV host, volunteer, and founder of the UnderBook app, the Order of Princess Olga, Third Class. This honor recognizes her significant contributions to Ukraine’s national culture, arts, and volunteerism. The Order of Princess Olga is a distinguished award given to women for outstanding achievements in state service, production, social work, science, education, culture, charitable activities, and child-rearing.
Background and Volunteer Contributions
Born on August 4, 1985, in Pokrov (formerly Ordzhonikidze) in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Astafieva graduated from the Dnipropetrovsk College of Culture with a focus on vocal performance. Between 2008 and 2017, she was the lead vocalist of the female pop group NikitA, created by producer Yuriy Nikitin. Astafieva also gained international recognition through her work with Playboy magazine, where she was featured as Playmate of the Month and later as a special anniversary Playmate in the American edition.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Astafieva has been actively involved in volunteer work, preparing meals for soldiers in Kyiv. Her hands-on efforts included peeling potatoes, chopping vegetables, and packing food into containers. Additionally, she launched the UnderBook app to promote Ukrainian literature, helping to preserve and spread the country’s cultural heritage during a time of conflict.
In 2024, Astafieva participated in recreating the painting "Portrait of a Girl in an Embroidered Dress," which had been stolen by Russian occupiers. Looking ahead, in 2026, she served as an ambassador for a 1 km dog race at the Go to the Future-2026 charity run held on June 7 at Kyiv’s VDNH. During the 2026 National Unity Radio Dictation event, she joined teacher Artur Proydakov in reading the text, highlighting her ongoing engagement in cultural and educational initiatives.
“For her significant personal contributions to the development of national culture and arts, outstanding creative achievements, and high professional skills, and on the occasion of the All-Ukrainian Day of Cultural Workers and Folk Art Masters, I decree to award Daria Viktorivna Astafieva the Order of Princess Olga, Third Class,” President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his official decree.
This recognition of Daria Astafieva underscores the vital role she plays in enriching Ukrainian culture and supporting the nation through volunteerism during challenging times. It highlights the important impact women have in advancing society, culture, and military support. Awards like these also inspire others to engage actively in charitable and cultural initiatives that strengthen community resilience.