Honoring Ukraine’s Volunteers: Stories of Those Who Defended Their Nation on March 14.

Ukraine’s Volunteer Day

According to UATV: March 14 marks Ukraine’s Volunteer Day, a time to recognize the individuals who stepped up to protect their country. This observance carries deep significance because the first volunteer battalion was formed back in 2014. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and territorial defense units, showing their unwavering commitment to defend their homeland.

Profiles in Courage

Volodymyr Bohdan, a 28-year-old from Nizhyn, first enlisted to defend Ukraine at age 18. He served in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and Joint Forces Operation zones before leaving the military in 2021. When the invasion began on February 24, 2022, he was at the Territorial Recruitment Center, where he decided once again to take up arms for his country. Today, he serves as the senior sergeant of the 1st Tank Battalion of the 12th Brigade, working as a tank driver-mechanic. Bohdan has fought in battles near Chernihiv and in the Donetsk region.

“There were so many people, you know, it was just... unexpected.”

Volodymyr Bohdan

Another story of bravery features Dmytro, a senior soldier from Kharkiv who worked as a lawyer before the war. He trained with the National Corps in 2021 and, after the invasion began, joined the Azov Special Operations Forces. Dmytro suffered a severe injury during the fighting in Bakhmut. He defines a volunteer as someone with an active mindset who doesn’t need to be persuaded or convinced to act.

“To me, a volunteer is first and foremost a person with an active stance—someone you don’t have to talk into anything or convince of anything. That’s the kind of person they are.”

Dmytro

In the early days of the war, nearly 100,000 volunteers joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reflecting the powerful patriotic spirit of the Ukrainian people. Volodymyr Bohdan also stressed the importance of training new recruits, noting: “We’re not planning to leave; I still need to train new people in my position and teach them about the tank.” These words capture not only the courage but also the sense of duty carried by those who have stepped up to defend Ukraine.

Volunteer Day serves as a reminder of the need to support and honor those who made the immediate decision to protect their nation. It symbolizes the bravery and patriotism of Ukrainians ready to stand up for their country in difficult times. Recognizing volunteers not only celebrates their contributions to the fight for independence but also highlights the importance of backing those who continue to strive for peace and security. These events reflect deep societal changes and the growing role of civic responsibility in modern Ukraine.