Mykola Melnyk
He went from a quiet life as a lawyer to a company commander in the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
His story is the story of a man who, despite life-altering injuries, did not lose the will to live and fight. He continues to inspire others with his resilience and devotion to Ukraine. After being seriously injured and having his right leg and part of his left foot amputated, he continued his active public life. He headed the organization "League of Interns," which organizes internships for young people in Parliament and government institutions. After all, the education and training of young people are a critical need for Ukraine.
Also, his veteran organization, USDF, is constantly engaged in supporting the front and, at the same time, fights for the rights of veterans.
Founder and CEO of "Brave Children of Ukraine" (501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) supporting Ukrainian children whose fathers fell on the battlefield.
Story
Born on August 15, 1985, in Odesa.
Graduated from Chornomorsk Gymnasium No. 1 and the National University "Odesa Law Academy", where he received a degree and a diploma as a history teacher. At the same time, he worked as a loader at the fish port.
In 2011, he entered the Internship Program at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, organized by the Public Organization "League of Interns". In 2012, he joined the analytical group "Leviathan", which he headed in 2015. He is the author of more than 200 draft laws and analytical articles.
Participant in the Language Maidan. Active participant in the Revolution of Dignity, having gone from the storming of Bankova to the standoff on Instytutska.
Participant in the Russian-Ukrainian War as part of the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps "Right Sector", participant in the defense of Avdiivka, Donetsk region.
After the start of the full-scale invasion, he led the rifle platoon of the 134th Infantry Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and participated in the defense of Kyiv.
In November 2022, he was appointed commander of the 4th Mechanized Company of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
In early June 2023, as part of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, as the commander of the company tactical group, he participated in the counteroffensive in southern Ukraine. During the battle, Mykola Melnyk was seriously wounded. He lost his right leg and most of his left foot. After treatment, he returned to defending his homeland as a member of an air defense unit. In August 2025, he shot down his first Russian Geran-type drone.
He is also the founder and CEO of the "Brave Children of Ukraine" 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Vision
Our task is to continue the fight for the future. For the future that we dreamed of on the Maidan, for the Future for which we were ready to die in the fight against all the tyrants of the world. Each of us has given a lot for our country and the entire democratic world. And each of us has the right to say: "Let someone else do it, because I am tired." But can we forgive ourselves now, when the world's evil is not punished, and our children do not have a peaceful future, for having folded our hands?
Our further fight is not just a front. It is a fight for our freedom, so that our children do not live in fear, our parents do not die under bombardment, so that our streets do not forget what dignity means. We have no right to stop. Because if we fold our hands now — then everything we have experienced, everything we have endured — will be in vain.