In Ukraine, young people are fighting on every front. Some serve in the trenches — defending the country with weapons. Others fight with memory, words, and culture — preserving stories of those who defied an empire in the past and making them speak volumes to the present.

Together, young Ukrainians prove that resistance is not only about the battlefield, but also about keeping truth alive.

For me, this journey to truth began in school, when I first read about Vasyl Stus, one of Ukraine’s foremost poets of the late 20th century, who gave his life for freedom. I learned of the dissidents who risked everything to resist silence. Today, I see my peers carrying that same spirit forward —  one of the clearest voices among them is Hlib Astakhov.

Hlib, alumnus of the School of History at Karazin University and founder of History Malva project, now has a vital following on Instagram. It's become a space where Ukrainians discover their own history: key events, cultural milestones, and stories of those who resisted imperial domination. But it’s not just information — it’s passion.

 I’ve attended Hlib's lectures and each time saw how history came alive. It wasn’t dates and facts, it was a voice of a generation speaking with confidence and sincerity.

In collaboration with Molodyi Narodnyi Rukh, a civic youth organization rooted in Ukraine’s independence movement, Hlib helps create documentary films about dissidents and fighters for freedom. For example: “Chornovil” is about one of Ukraine's most important 20th century political leaders, Vyacheslav Chornovil. The film allows viewers to truly understand this legendary politician, as a historical symbol and as a living champion with dreams and convictions.

Further, Hlib uses his platforms to directly support Ukraine’s fight today. He regularly opens charity fundraisers, hosts educational events, and gives lectures whose proceeds go to help the Armed Forces.

What inspires me most is that our generation now has the tools to carry memory further than any generation before us. Social media, documentaries, podcasts, interactive lectures — all of these have become weapons of memory, ensuring that the stories of those who defied an empire remain alive and relevant. And just as important, these tools remind us that we are not only honoring the dissidents of the past — we are continuing their struggle today, in our own ways.

For me, people like Hlib are proof that today’s youth in Ukraine are conscious and strong. Some fight on the battlefield, others fight to preserve truth and culture. Together, we form a bridge between past and future. And in that bridge lies the true strength of a generation.