Ukraine is one of the most courageous countries in the world. People here are really freedom- loving. Courage is the conscious choice to take a risk for a noble cause, so our people are now part of the most courageous nation on the planet.

If you have ever read the Ukrainian stories from the 18th-20th centuries, you might have noticed that all the characters in our stories are audacious and resolute. They would rather die for freedom than become enslaved. For example, in the novel “At a high price” by famous Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Kotsyubynskyi, Ostap and Solomia do not want to live under the rule of the master, so they decide to run away to finally live happily in love. Unfortunately, Ostap’s freedom costs Solomia’s life. In our country courage has always meant being so strong that you are ready to die for your love and freedom. Even our anthem celebrates freedom and an unbreakable spirit. Ukrainians have proved for many centuries that we are a free and independent people.

For me, the most courageous people in our country are our military men. All day long they are defending our homeland and risking their lives, especially the Azov regiment. When the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine started, they defended my hometown of Mariupol for 82 days. They saw terrible things that left a scar on the soul of each of them. Many of them did not survive, many are still in captivity. But they do not give up. They are proving every minute that Ukrainians are the most courageous and independent.

Another example of Ukrainian courage is the formation of the Ukrainian nation, namely during the time of the Cossacks. “We wouldn’t be called Ukraine if it weren’t for the Cossacks,” historian Sergei Plokhy said. They had laid the foundation for the development of Ukraine as an independent and free country.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that every Ukrainian is very strong and our strength and courage will never be broken. Every minute, every second, Ukrainians are proving that we are strong, free, and invincible. This is what being brave means in Ukraine.