As part of the “Side by Side: United Communities” project, a special and meaningful meeting was held with a Hero of the Tyachiv Community as part of the “Hear the Hero” initiative, dedicated to Border Guard Day. The event brought together young people from the Novohrodivka and Tyachiv communities and marked an important step in establishing interregional dialogue and mutual support.
For the Tyachiv community in Zakarpattia Oblast, this project is being implemented for the first time. The “Hear the Hero” project was launched in the Novohrodivka community of Donetsk Oblast as a local initiative, which later grew into a regional movement. As of today, over 3,000 participants have joined the project.
“The main idea of the project is patriotism through people. We are convinced that true national identity is formed not through slogans, but through a living emotional connection with those who defend our country,” noted Olga Sidorova, Deputy Head of the Novohrodivka Military-Civilian Administration, during her welcoming remarks.
The main guest of the event was Volodymyr Hapun—a man with a civilian profession who, in 2014, made a conscious decision to defend Ukraine. He voluntarily joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and fought as part of the “Carpathian Sich” volunteer platoon. He participated in combat operations in Pisky, Vodyane in the Donetsk region, and Krymske in the Luhansk region. Together with his comrades, he liberated Irpin, Stoyanka, and Bucha in the Kyiv region, and carried out combat missions in the Izyum, Lyman, and Kupiansk sectors. After sustaining another injury last year, he was discharged from service, but he continues to support his comrades today by making volunteer trips to the front lines.
An open and trusting atmosphere prevailed during the meeting. The young people actively asked questions, expressing interest in the Hero’s personal experiences, motivations, and life principles. In response, he sincerely shared his stories, thoughts, and feelings, inspiring those present and leaving a deep emotional impact.
Such meetings are particularly valuable. They not only strengthen ties between communities but also instill in the younger generation the values of unity, courage, and responsibility for the country’s future.
At the end of last year, the Novohrodivka and Tyachiv communities signed a memorandum of cooperation and became sister cities as part of the “Side by Side: United Communities” project. Since then, they have actively maintained contact, shared experiences, implemented joint initiatives, and, step by step, built a strong partnership based on trust and mutual support.
Based on materials from the Novohrodivka City Military Administration