Today, another regional meeting was held as part of the “Hear the Hero” project, dedicated to the Day of Remembrance for the Defenders of Ukraine who died fighting for our country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The event was organized by the Novohrodivka City Military Administration with the support of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. Five hundred participants joined the online discussion: young people from the Donetsk region, as well as educators and representatives of relevant departments of the Regional State Administration.
The main guest of honor at the meeting was Volodymyr Hapun (alias “Rusyn”)—a defender of Ukraine and one of the fighters of the legendary “Carpathian Sich.” A native of Brody in the Lviv region, he has lived in Tyachiv in Zakarpattia for many years. By training, Volodymyr is a teacher, and in civilian life, he successfully managed a business.
However, back in 2014, this man with a peaceful profession made a conscious choice and volunteered to defend the country, taking part in fierce battles in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. With the start of the full-scale invasion, Volodymyr returned to the military, defended the Kyiv region, and fought on the eastern fronts. Today, after completing his service due to health reasons, he continues to support his comrades as part of volunteer missions.
While speaking with the young people, Volodymyr talked about his roots and the guiding principles of his life. His grandfather fought in the ranks of the UPA, and Volodymyr is deeply proud of this family legacy and the continuity of the Ukrainian resistance. He emphasized that the current war is ideological, as every nation has an unquestionable right to its own statehood. Sharing memories of his combat experience, Volodymyr admitted that he felt the greatest emotional high of his entire service during the liberation of Izium, and stressed that he has never once regretted his choice.
Those in attendance had the opportunity to ask Volodymyr their questions. This was precisely the kind of dialogue the project was created for—direct, honest, and lively.
Addressing the younger generation, Volodymyr emphasized the importance of daily self-improvement, which helps one grow and strengthen one’s character. He also urged them to see themselves as an important part of a united Ukrainian force and to travel around Ukraine as much as possible, particularly visiting the sites of our ancestors’ military glory.
As noted by the project’s ideologist, Olga Sidorova, deputy head of the Novohrodivka Military-Civilian Administration, approximately 4,000 participants have already joined the large-scale “Listen to the Hero” movement. These are thousands of children and young people from the Donetsk region who have met with defenders, asked questions, listened to their stories, and gained a new appreciation for the value of freedom. This proves that Ukrainian youth seek direct, sincere dialogue with those who are shaping Ukraine’s modern history; they want to hear from those who defend our country, learn their stories, and understand what today’s struggle is all about.
Based on materials from the Novohrodivka City Military Administration