“Children of Heroes” of wartime Ukraine: the story of courage of a fifteen-year-old resident of Korosten
War forces the younger generation to adapt to harsh realities, showing extraordinary endurance and the ability to make fateful decisions in a matter of seconds. State institutions are trying to support young citizens who have demonstrated resilience during enemy attacks, helped units of the Defense Forces, or saved others in critical circumstances. Annual patriotic initiatives of ministries record real examples of courage among teenagers, whose actions become evidence of maturity and self-sacrifice.
Rocket strike on Korosten and the girl’s instant reaction
The shelling of the city of Korosten, which took place on April 3, 2026, led to significant destruction of civilian infrastructure and damage to the homes of about two hundred local residents. That morning, fifteen-year-old Kalina Paprotska was getting ready for class, but after the air raid siren, she decided to stay home with her two-year-old niece Amira.
Hearing the rapid approach of an enemy missile, the girl instantly oriented herself in the situation and covered the child with her own body, since the girl was near a large panoramic window. The blast wave shattered the glass structure and threw both children eight meters away. Kalina held little Amira tightly in her arms throughout the fall, thanks to which the child did not receive any injuries.
Traumatic shock and a high level of stress prevented the injured girl from immediately feeling severe physical pain, which appeared only after her emotional state stabilized. Doctors diagnosed Kalina with bruises on internal organs and multiple injuries to her knee joints caused by the fall and flying debris.
The girl was awarded for her courage
Information about the selfless actions of the teenager later reached representatives of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Zhytomyr region, who decided to celebrate the girl’s act directly at her place of study. Rescuers visited the educational institution and solemnly presented the schoolgirl with an official certificate of gratitude for the courage, heroism and selflessness shown during the liquidation of the consequences of the emergency.
On June 12, 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine held a traditional all-Ukrainian campaign “Children of Heroes”, the laureate of which was Kalina Paprotska along with nine other brave participants. The organizers of the event gathered teenagers from different regions of the country to publicly recognize their contribution to defense capability and mutual assistance during martial law.
The trials experienced changed the girl’s worldview, forcing her to significantly reassess the importance of human life and the safety of loved ones. Despite difficult life circumstances and long-term rehabilitation, the resident of Korosten maintains an optimistic view of the future and strives to realize her main dream of traveling to different countries of the world after the end of hostilities.
