Daria Nikosh, a participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year – 2026” competition in the “Unbreakable Will” category
Daria Nikosh was born in the Donetsk region, but she made Mariupol her home - a city that came to symbolize home, dreams, and resilience for her. Even as a young woman, she chose a path of public service by studying law, and in 2019, she voluntarily signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The full-scale invasion caught her in Mariupol. After defending the city, Daria endured seven months of Russian captivity in Olenivka and Donetsk. Despite these severe hardships, she maintained her strength of spirit and faith in Ukraine, and returned home during one of the first major prisoner exchanges involving women on October 17, 2022.
After her release, Daria resumed her military service and continued to defend Ukraine as part of the 21st Battalion until 2024. Today, she helps the military as a volunteer. Together with her mother—who, after losing her own business, set up a sewing workshop - she makes ammunition pouches, gear components, insignia, and other essential equipment for Ukrainian defenders.
In 2025, Daria participated in the regional “Woman of Donetsk Region” competition in the “Heart in Armor” category. Her life story is an example of courage, resilience, and unshakable faith in Ukraine, and her daily work and volunteer activities demonstrate her boundless dedication to her country and its people.