Contestant of the regional competition "Young Person of the Year – 2025" in the "Law Enforcement Defender" category Victoria Chumakova
My name is Victoria. I am from the city of Sloviansk. This city is a part of my heart, my memories, and my strength. Since childhood, I dreamed of becoming a police officer. I was fascinated by the idea of justice, of how one person can change another's life for the better, to help and protect them. I looked at people in uniform with sincere admiration—they were heroes to me. And I firmly decided that one day I would also wear a uniform to stand on the side of good.
In 2021, I enrolled in Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs and began my journey to realize my childhood dream of becoming a police officer.
In 2022, with the start of the full-scale invasion, the life of every person in Ukraine changed forever. We began to appreciate simple things: home, safety, family. For me, this became another confirmation that I had chosen the right path—to be where I am needed most.
During my studies at the university, I joined the volunteer movement. In that difficult time, when the war touched everyone, we wove camouflage nets for the military, delivered essential supplies to the front, supported the families of displaced people, and helped in any way we could. This was my contribution to our common struggle, my way of supporting our defenders.
Currently, I work in the field of juvenile prevention. Every day, I help children stay safe, find support, and believe in themselves even when the world around them seems unstable. My job is more than just a profession. It's a calling of the heart. It's the ability to listen, understand, and support the most vulnerable—those who are just starting their life's journey. And at a time when the war has forced many to grow up prematurely, my mission has become even more important.
My passion for sports is my way of maintaining resilience. Training helps me stay strong physically and mentally. It's a time for me to reset and remind myself that every new day is another opportunity to become better.
War is a trial you don't choose. It brings pain, anxiety, and separation from loved ones, but at the same time, it brings strength, unity, and resilience. I have seen how people's faces change, how children begin to understand silently much more than they should have. But despite everything, we do not give up. We hold on.
My story is a story about faith in children, about the fight for the future, and about love for my hometown, which holds on despite everything. I know there are still many challenges ahead. But I am sure that together, we will overcome everything.