Participant in the "Young Person of the Year – 2025" Regional Competition In the nomination "Unbroken: Strength of Spirit and Valor of Donetsk Region"Yevhenii Peschanskyi
Yevhenii Peschanskyi, born in Kramatorsk in 1998, has a life deeply intertwined with his hometown, where he received his education, worked, and actively engaged in community activities.
Yevhenii attended Kramatorsk School No. 2, demonstrating remarkable abilities and enthusiasm. He participated in history Olympiads and international math competitions. Yevhenii was also actively involved in sports, practiced folk dancing since childhood, and trained in combat arts like boxing, kickboxing, and combat sambo.
During his studies at the Donetsk State Machine-Building Academy, Yevhenii served as the sports organizer for his faculty, actively participated in student events, performed on stage, and was an integral part of student self-government.
Yevhenii's life took a sharp turn on July 29, 2021, when he joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Volodymyr Monomakh, in a motorized infantry battalion. During the war, Yevhenii passed through hot spots in various directions, including Dachne, Hranitne, Soniachne, Trudove, Volnovakha, and Vuhledar (in two directions).
In Vuhledar, on the Mykilske direction, Yevhenii sustained severe injuries that significantly limited his movement. These included a fracture of the cervical spine, non-penetrating injuries to the thoracic spine, shrapnel wounds to his arm, leg, shoulder blade, a fractured rib, and acoustic barotrauma.
Over the course of a year, Yevhenii underwent three spinal surgeries. For further rehabilitation, he was evacuated to Ireland, where he relearned to control his body and walk. Additionally, operations were performed on his right arm in Ireland and Kyiv, which, unfortunately, still does not function fully.
Even during his treatment abroad, Yevhenii could not stand idly by while his comrades fought on the front lines. Together with volunteers, he collected warm clothes, long-lasting food, power banks, and funds for night vision devices for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Monthly, Yevhenii participated in rallies near the Russian embassy and repeatedly spoke at various events in support of Ukraine. As soon as his body began to recover, Yevhenii took part in a "Nova Poshta" race, demonstrating his unbroken spirit.
After returning to Ukraine and undergoing a military medical commission (VLC), he was discharged from service due to his health condition.
Despite the severe trials, Yevhenii actively pursues his professional development, having completed a series of important training courses. He gained knowledge and skills in communication and interaction, studying a non-violent approach to dialogue in communities, effective crisis communications, and the fundamentals of respectful communication with veterans, especially those with disabilities. Furthermore, he mastered gender-sensitive communication, principles of interaction in force majeure circumstances, and effective communication within teams, with clients, and partners. Significant emphasis was placed on veteran support and mental health, where Yevhenii deepened his understanding of veteran readjustment and reintegration, learning to provide support to veterans in their families and those who returned from captivity. In the area of management and leadership, Yevhenii studied various management styles, developed his leadership qualities, and mastered basic project management skills. Among other important skills acquired during the trainings, he gained proficiency in digital civil servant competencies and developed multitasking abilities. These trainings have significantly deepened Yevhenii's knowledge and skills, which are invaluable in his current work aimed at supporting veterans and developing communities.
Currently, Yevhenii works at the "Center for Unity and National Resistance" platform based at the Donetsk Regional Youth Center. In addition, he provides services to the public organization "Community Development Foundation" as a coordinator for the veteran direction, where he develops and implements social projects aimed at improving the integration and adaptation of veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war, their family members, and the families of fallen heroes and their children.
Yevhenii successfully completed the pilot program of the educational platform "Leadership for the Restoration of Donetsk Region."
Yevhenii continues his self-improvement. He successfully passed exams and an interview for admission to Mariupol State University for the faculties of Public Administration and Political Science.
Yevhenii Peschanskyi is a person with a clear goal: to create positive change. His dream is peace and development in his native country.