True history is being made before our eyes by people whose resilience and daily acts of heroism are shaping the future of the entire nation. On 5 May 2026, the event “Courage that Inspires: A Meeting with Heroes of Ukraine” took place in the Main Building of the War Museum. The event was dedicated to Infantry Day – a celebration honouring the brave soldiers who form the backbone of the combat strength of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Major Illia Verhun commanded anti-tank units during the deoccupation of Trostianets and took part in holding back the enemy in the Izium and Bakhmut directions. His units destroyed a significant amount of enemy equipment, while he personally burned 18 enemy tanks.
Sergeant Serhii Mushyk continuously held firing positions near the village of Klishchiivka for 59 days. Despite sustaining four wounds and suffering chemical poisoning, Serhii remained alone at his position, continued directing artillery fire, and personally repelled more than ten Russian assaults.
Sergeant Vasyl Burmech is a full recipient of the Order “For Courage.” He carried out combat missions in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kyiv regions, as well as in other operational directions. As commander of a sniper platoon, he eliminated more than 550 occupiers.
The event was attended by 434 participants, including cadets of the Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, students of the Kyiv Professional College with Enhanced Military and Physical Training, a medical college, as well as pupils from Lyceums № 19, № 67, № 112, № 272, № 319, Specialized School № 114, and the Kyiv Sports Lyceum.
The program included a series of thematic excursions and the operation of three interactive locations within the “FOR FREEDOM” exhibition space. Visitors had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the latest weapons systems, including MAGURA naval strike drones, the VAMPIRE heavy strike hexacopter, the P1-Sun interceptor drone, the TERMIT universal tracked robotic platform, and the “KAZHAN” jet-powered bomber drone.
This meeting became a space for sincere dialogue between those defending the country today and those who will build it tomorrow. The courage and personal experience of Ukraine’s defenders are the finest example of patriotism for the younger generation.
