Participant in the regional competition “Young Person of the Year – 2026” in the category “Unbreakable Will” Yuriy Kosse
Yuriy Kosse was born in the village of Mykilske in the Mariupol District of Donetsk Oblast. After graduating from the Mariupol Maritime Lyceum, he chose to serve his country and, in 2019, signed a contract with the 23rd Maritime Guard Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. He served in Berdiansk, providing maritime border security and patrolling the waters of the Sea of Azov.
He was on duty when the full-scale invasion began. In the very first days of the war, he returned to Mariupol as part of his unit, where he took part in the city’s defense. He carried out combat missions in various districts of Mariupol amid fierce street fighting and a significant enemy advantage.
On March 25, 2022, he was taken prisoner by the Russians during a combat engagement. For nearly two years, he was held in detention facilities in Donetsk, Olenivka, the Kursk and Tula regions, and Mordovia, where he endured severe hardships but never lost faith in his return home. On January 3, 2024, he was released during a large-scale prisoner exchange, after which he underwent treatment and rehabilitation.
On May 28, 2026, he was awarded the “Defender of the Fatherland” medal by the Federation of Greek Communities of Ukraine. Today, Yurii Kosse works as a driver for the Nikolsk Village Council, actively participates in community life, and, through his own example, demonstrates resilience, courage, and devotion to Ukraine.