Svitolina, Achilles, and a librarian from Izium: Discover which Kharkiv residents made it to the Ukrainian Truth ranking.

"Ukrainian Truth" has presented its second ranking of leaders – a hundred Ukrainians who contribute the most to the independence and future of Ukraine. The list includes 11 individuals from the Kharkiv region.

As reported by "Dumka," the jury evaluated the participants based on their contributions to victory and the development of Ukrainian statehood, their influence on socio-political processes, leadership, and integrity.

The list includes residents of the Kharkiv region:

3

Andrey Pilshchikov, call sign "Dzhus" (posthumously)

a pilot, thanks to whom Ukraine received F-16s.

Born on February 3, 1993, in Kharkiv. He studied at the Kharkiv National University of the Air Force named after Ivan Kozhedub.

In 2022, he joined the advocacy group that promoted the transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine, traveled to meetings with officials in the United States, and gave dozens of interviews to prominent Western media.

30-year-old pilot Andrey Pilshchikov died on August 25, 2023, in Zhytomyr region as a result of a collision between two Ukrainian planes. This occurred just days after it was announced that the Netherlands and Denmark had given the "green light" for the supply of F-16s to Ukraine, and Ukrainian pilots had begun training for future operations with these aircraft.

Pilshchikov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star (September 30, 2024), the Order of Courage II class (September 28, 2023, posthumously), and the Order of Courage III class (May 2, 2022).

4

Andrey Beletsky

commander of the Third Separate Assault Brigade

Born on August 5, 1979, in Kharkiv.

A Ukrainian military, public, and political figure. Colonel, commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. Member of the organizations "Trizub" named after Bandera, Patriot of Ukraine.

After the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2014, he became the founder and commander of the "Azov" battalion, became the leader of the political party "National Corps," and a People's Deputy of Ukraine of the 8th convocation. Following the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, he led the "Azov" SSO regiment in Kyiv, which was later reformed into the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.

As noted by military personnel, the Third Assault Brigade under Colonel Beletsky became an innovator in many areas, which is often not characteristic of conservative career military.

5

Igor Obolensky

commander of the 13th National Guard Brigade "Chartia"

A Ukrainian serviceman, colonel of the National Guard of Ukraine, participant in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Master's degree in law and agronomy. Worked in managerial and executive positions in business companies.

In 2014, he served in the artillery brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and in the special unit "Omega."

In 2019, he resigned and moved into business. Before the start of the full-scale war, he worked in MHP and "Agrotrade" company.

With the onset of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he returned to the front lines. On March 20, 2023, he was appointed commander of the 13th operational brigade.

Awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III class and the Order of Courage III class.

6

Vsevolod Kozhemyako

founder of the 13th National Guard Brigade "Chartia."

A Ukrainian businessman, founder of the AGROTRADE Group, participant in the Russo-Ukrainian war, volunteer.

In 2021, he ranked 88th in the Ukrainian Forbes list.

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, two elevators of Kozhemyako's group were occupied.

At the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kozhemyako created a volunteer unit called "Chartia" in Kharkiv, which he himself led.

In April 2023, "Chartia" became the 13th brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine as part of the "Assault Guard."

7

Yuri Fedorenko

commander of the strike drone battalion "ACHILLES" of the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade

Yuri Fedorenko began his combat journey back in 2014 with the National Guard of Ukraine during the active phase of the ATO. After being wounded, he was discharged due to health reasons.

Despite not believing in the possibility of a full-scale invasion, in January 2022, he enlisted in the Territorial Defense Forces with limited status. This was the only way to join the Defense Forces in a combat unit.

While in the Territorial Defense Forces, he led the 4th company of the 128th battalion of the 112th brigade. Once the de-occupation of Kyiv region was completed, the battalion was sent to Slobozhanshchyna.

Just before the Kharkiv counter-offensive operation, the 128th battalion was pulled back to Kyiv for rotation – everyone went except for Yuri's 4th company. He was the one who ensured that his unit remained attached to the 92nd brigade.

The unit showed excellent results, so when the Commander-in-Chief ordered the creation of strike drone companies, the former commander of the 92nd OMBr and Hero of Ukraine Pavel Fedosenko suggested that Yuri and his team join the 92nd brigade.

The company built operational infrastructure and effective working mechanisms, so within a year it was scaled up to a battalion, which, according to Forbes ratings, entered the top 3 strike drone units in Ukraine.

8

Yulia Orlova

CEO and co-owner of the Vivat publishing house

Born on November 25, 1969. Graduated from Kharkiv National University named after V. N. Karazin. Since 2013, she has been the general director of the Vivat publishing house.

In 2019, the publishing house released the book by journalist Vakhtang Kipiani "The Case of Vasyl Stus." People's Deputy from OPZZh Viktor Medvedchuk tried to ban this book through the courts. Kipiani and the publishing house won the case, and the book gained popularity.

On May 23, 2024, Russians shelled the Kharkiv printing house "Factor-Print" – one of the largest in Europe. The greatest financial damage was suffered by the Vivat publishing house, which belongs to the same holding as the affected printing house.

After this, readers and partners united to support Vivat and "Factor-Print." Thus, the number of orders on the publishing house's website increased 4.5 times, and "Nova Poshta" volunteered to deliver them free of charge until June 30.

9

Mstyslav Chernov

military journalist, director of the documentary "20 Days in Mariupol"

Born in 1985, studied at the Kharkiv National University of Radioelectronics.

He began his career as a photographer in 2005 at the MediaPort news agency in Kharkiv.

At the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Mstyslav Chernov, along with photographer Yevhen Maloletenko and producer Vasylyna Stepanenko, found themselves in Mariupol.

Mstyslav and his colleagues spent 20 days in Mariupol. When the situation deteriorated, they decided to evacuate.

For documenting how Russia destroyed Mariupol, Mstyslav, Yevhen, and Vasylyna received the Pulitzer Prize. In 2022, Mstyslav Chernov and Yevhen Maloletenko became laureates of the Georgiy Gongadze Prize. On February 11, 2024, Mstyslav Chernov received the Directors Guild of America Award for "Outstanding Directorial Achievement" in documentary film. The documentary "20 Days in Mariupol" won a BAFTA