Olena Melekh - participant of the regional contest "Woman of Donetsk Region" in 2025, nomination "Heart in Armor"
Olena Melekh is a woman who combines fragility and great strength of spirit, loyalty and patriotism.
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, Olena lived in the town of Selydove, Pokrovsky district, and worked as the head of the military registration and enlistment office of the Selydove City Council.
Every day, in addition to fulfilling her official duties, Olena and her colleagues received humanitarian aid: food, clothing, hygiene kits and distributed them to the community. Olena is a compassionate and kind person, and she tried to support everyone with a word and a smile, knowing that in times of fear, even a little kindness can be life-saving.
Olena is the mother of two charming daughters, Tetyana and Daria. Their home was always full of laughter and warmth. Although it was painful to leave her children, in September 2022 Olena Melekh volunteered to serve in the 109th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
At first, her service was full of difficulties, but she did not give up. She quickly became a pillar of support for her comrades - she always supported them with her words and was able to give them courage where it seemed that they had no strength.
The military career of the defender went step by step - from soldier to senior sergeant. Daily challenges, strict military discipline and danger hardened Olena's character even more.
Olena was repeatedly involved in the combat zone, staying in the village of New York of the Toretsk community of the Bakhmut district, the village of Kalynove of the Novohrodiv community of the Pokrovsk district, the village of Yablunivka of the Ilyinivka community of the Kramatorsk district.
But one day, on July 7, 2024, she sustained a severe perforating shrapnel wound. Olena was evacuated to the hospital, where she spent many months fighting for her life and recovery. There was pain, doubts and fears, but the desire to live and get back into the ranks was even stronger.
Olena returned to defend her country because it was more than a duty for her. It was a calling to protect the lives, freedom and future of her children and her people.
Read the detailed story of the contestant here: https://surli.cc/htwkjh