Artur Shevtsov, a participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year – 2026” competition in the “Called to Save” category
Artur Shevtsov’s life story is a chronicle of resilience, forged by service, trials, and an uncompromising struggle for Ukraine’s future. This young man knows the value of freedom firsthand: he has endured the loss of his home, an enemy blockade, and daily life-threatening risks while clearing his native land of explosive ordnance.
The first blow of the war struck Artur while he was still in school, when, on January 14, 2015, Russian troops shelled his native village of Kamianka in the Volnovakha district. Witnessing the destruction and human suffering, the teenager realized clearly that sooner or later he would stand up to defend his homeland.
In 2017, this choice led him to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Three years on the border laid a solid foundation of discipline and resilience. After his demobilization, Artur worked in the merchant marine abroad, where he gained unique life experience, but the full-scale invasion changed everything once again.
February 24, 2022, found Artur with his family in Mariupol. Together, they endured the most terrifying weeks of the city’s siege: without water, food, or electricity, and under constant airstrikes. It wasn’t until late March that the family managed to escape the hell of the occupation and make their way through dozens of enemy checkpoints to reach territory controlled by Ukraine. The horror he endured only strengthened Artur’s resolve to return to active duty.
In June 2023, he took on the role of driver-sapper in the underwater demining and other special operations unit. Since then, Artur has been deployed daily to clear demined territories and address the aftermath of rocket and artillery strikes in the Donetsk region. This line of work leaves no room for error and demands ironclad composure. Artur’s intense focus and courage have repeatedly saved the lives of both civilians and his fellow emergency responders.
The loss of his home, surviving the siege of Mariupol, and his daily service as a sapper have all merged into a single mission for Artur Shevtsov: to do everything possible so that Ukrainian families never again have to witness the horrors of war. His work is not just a profession, but a matter of honor and a daily contribution to our shared Victory.