When I was a child a lot of people asked me who my hero was and I often responded with the name of

some celebrity who performed a cool stunt or had strength. As time passed by and I started understanding
things, I realized the hero is not only a person who has power and skills. Hero is someone who has a big
heart, someone who has love to give, or someone who can take care of others. A hero can be recognized by
the work he has done and how he changed the life of a different person and that is exactly what all
Ukrainians did. The 24th of February our lives have been turned upside down. From that day on, everyone
of us is a hero.

There is the man who stood in front of a Russian tank, pushing against it to stop it from advancing. There is
the woman who walked up to a Russian soldier and said ‘Take these seeds and put them in your pockets, so
at least sunflowers will grow when you all lie down here’. And then there is the already legendary story of
the 13 Zmiinyi Island defenders who, when asked to capitulate, refused in gloriously terms. Are not they
heroes? Yes, they are.

These heroic displays barely scratch the surface of Ukrainian resistance. From sharing this food to taking up
arms, Ukrainians across the country are united in repelling the invaders and protecting our homeland.
Russia picked the wrong nation to mess with. Behind The Ukrainian Army stand legions of Ukrainians who
have made camouflage netting, dispatched humanitarian aid and raised funds. The National Bank of
Ukraine, which opened a special account to raise funds for Ukraine`s military, received nearly $ 10 million in
just the first day of the war. The sums, for a country under attack, are astounding.

That is something every Ukrainian is doing, in ways big and small. Even under bombardment, people have
lined up to donate blood, providing vital assistance to the country`s hospitals. Volunteers take food and
supplies to underground shelters where hundreds and sometimes thousands of people are gathered. People
look out for one another and acts of kindness are the norm. That support extends to those who leave as
well as those who stay. Ukrainians abroad, mainly in countries along the border, have been collecting trucks
full of humanitarian aid to support arriving refugees. No matter where they are, Ukrainians have the
support of their compatriots.

But we are defiant. With every act of bravery and courage, Ukrainians show that we are ready to pay the
highest price for democracy — ours and the world over. In this battle, we will not surrender and we will not
capitulate. Because our freedom is immutable. Our children will grow up proud of Ukraine because we are
real heroes.