Participant of the regional contest "Young Person of the Year – 2025" in the nomination "Unbroken: The Strength of Spirit and Valor of the Donetsk Region" Mykhailo Shkolnikov
My name is Mykhailo Shkolnikov. I was born in the village of Neskuchne, Velykonovosilka community, Volnovakha district. The village of Neskuchne has a long and rich history, which has always filled me with pride because I am a native of this village.
I grew up with my mother and grandmother. My grandmother was a pensioner at the time, and my mother worked as a nurse's aide in the district hospital. These were difficult times for both the country and our family, so from a young age, I understood what hard work and the responsibility of being a man in the family meant.
I studied at the Neskuchne comprehensive school. I loved sports and always participated in competitions in track and field, football, basketball, and volleyball, and I was a multiple prize-winner in competitions. In my older years, I played for a football team in district and regional championships.
In 2012, I entered the Donetsk College of Industrial Automation to study "Software," but due to Russia's armed aggression in 2014 and the occupation of the city of Donetsk, I did not finish my studies and returned to my native village.
In 2014, I moved to the city of Kharkiv, where I worked in the field of trade. After gaining experience, in 2015, I returned to my native district, where I started my own business in the field of catering.
In 2016, I got married, and our beautiful daughter was born.
In May 2019, I joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In more than six years of service, I have mastered many military professions. I was a rifleman in the security platoon, a driver in the anti-tank squad, and a squad leader in artillery reconnaissance. I currently hold the position of staff sergeant in the civil-military cooperation department.
Civil-military cooperation is working with fallen, missing, and captured servicemen. This is a great responsibility that requires courage and strong psychological and moral endurance.
My family and I are very proud that I stood up to defend the country and have been serving my state for more than six years!