‘Heroic Children’ Event Held at Yasnohorodka Eco-Park
On June 12, 2026, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs organized the ‘Heroic Children’ ceremony at the Yasnohorodka Eco-Park in the Kyiv region. This marked the fourth edition of the initiative, which has now recognized a total of 22 young individuals over the past three years. Ten children aged 8 to 17 were celebrated for their courageous acts and contributions to the nation’s defense during wartime.
The Award-Winning Children and Their Heroic Deeds
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Maria Krasota, 9, rescued her two brothers from a fire in the village of Hannopil, Vinnytsia region.
“I was terrified, but I knew that if I ran away, my brothers would die.” – Maria Krasota
- Kyrylo Salov, 15, from Zakarpattia, was born with a hand disability but still earned the title of Candidate for Master of Sports. He has collected around 150 medals and four trophies.
- Kalyna Paprotska, 15, from Zhytomyr region, showed immense bravery during the shelling of Korosten on April 3, 2026, when debris from a Russian rocket damaged the homes of about 200 people. She shielded her two-year-old niece, Amira, from the blast.
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Diana Nasibova, 15, from Nizhyn in Chernihiv region, was recognized for her charity work, raising over 7 million hryvnias for the military.
“I remember the first amount I collected in one day—it was 165 hryvnias and some change. For me, that was the start of something big.” – Diana Nasibova
- Artem Lukashchev, 8, from Kharkiv, called the fire service during a blaze, saving himself and his grandmother.
- Maksym Borodin, 11, from Kamianske in Dnipropetrovsk region, made camouflage nets and trench candles for soldiers.
- Oleksandr Kazarian, 17, and Rostyslav Pachkovsky, 14, both from Zaporizhzhia, were honored for their actions during a massive Russian attack on May 5, 2026.
- Oleksandr Lemish, 17, saved a boy who had fallen into water near a waterfall.
- Oleh Shpychka, 17, from the Velyka Pysarivka community in Sumy region, suffered severe injuries, losing a leg and an eye, during an FPV drone attack.
Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, stressed the importance of recognizing these children for their bravery: “We want to honor children every year who, despite difficult circumstances, still did what they had to do… It is especially significant that this takes place during a war.”
Events like ‘Heroic Children’ aim not only to acknowledge individual achievements but also to highlight young people’s contributions to society in challenging times. Amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, such ceremonies help foster a positive image of youth actively participating in the country’s defense, both on the front lines and at home. Importantly, these initiatives inspire future generations to take meaningful action for their communities and nation. They demonstrate that courage and selflessness can emerge at any age.
The recognition of these young heroes reflects a broader commitment to honoring the bravery of children in Ukraine during these challenging times. For more inspiring stories about the remarkable contributions of young individuals, check out how Minister Klymenko celebrated other courageous youth alongside celebrity guests at a recent event honoring children of heroes.