Defenders' Day: Which Ukrainian Celebrities and Their Children Serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
October 1 is Defenders of Ukraine Day in Ukraine. Throughout the full-scale war, many Ukrainian artists, musicians, actors, and their children have joined the Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Among them are well-known figures from the Ukrainian entertainment industry who have traded the stage, film sets, and concert venues for military service. Some of them continue to serve, while others have already completed their service or changed their roles within the military.
Andriy Khlyvnyuk
Singer and frontman of the band “Boombox,” Andriy Khlyvnyuk, joined the Ukrainian Defense Forces from the very first days of the full-scale invasion.
He initially defended Kyiv and later served on the eastern front. During a mortar attack, the artist sustained facial injuries. Andriy Khlyvnyuk continues to defend Ukraine today.
Oleg “Fahot” Mykhailiuta
Oleg Mykhailiuta, singer and frontman of the band TNMK, known as Fagot, joined the “Revanche” volunteer battalion after the start of the full-scale invasion.
He took part in combat operations and continues to serve.
Oleksandr Yarmak
Rapper Oleksandr Yarmak tried to enlist in the army from the very first days of the full-scale invasion.
He initially served in a security company and later transferred to a combat unit. Yarmak became a UAV operator and commander of a drone platoon.
Maria Agapitova
Maria Agapitova, an actress at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theater, joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in June 2024.
Back in 2022, she had tried to enlist, but her application was rejected at that time.
Dmytro Dikusar
Choreographer and dancer Dmytro Dikusar also serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He does not disclose details of his military service.
At the same time, Dmytro Dikusar periodically checks in with his fans. This year, the dancer celebrated his 40th birthday.
Kolya Serga
Singer, musician, TV host, and actor Kolya Serga has been serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces since the very first days of the full-scale invasion.
He founded “Cultural Assault,” whose members perform for Ukrainian troops.
In 2022, Kolya Serga was awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class. In 2025, he became an advisor to Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga.
Miroslav Kuvaldin
Musician, songwriter, and leader of the band “The VYO,” Myroslav Kuvaldin joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the start of the full-scale invasion.
He served in the 69th Battalion of the 101st Territorial Defense Brigade and goes by the call sign “Jonich.”
Later, Myroslav Kuvaldin became a member of the “Cultural Assault Team.”
Garik Bircha
Actor and comedian Garik Bircha, known for his role as Vitalka, defended Kyiv and the Kyiv region from the start of the full-scale invasion.
He later became the commander of a support platoon in a separate special battalion.
During his first year of service, Garik Bircha rose through the ranks from staff sergeant to master sergeant.
Oleksiy Tritenko
Theater and film actor Oleksiy Tritenko, an Honored Artist of Ukraine, has been serving in the military since the start of the full-scale invasion.
He is currently a servicemember of the 79th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade.
In 2026, Oleksiy Tritenko received the “Golden Cross” award from former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Rita Burkovska
Actress Rita Burkovska, known for her roles in the films “The Butterfly’s Vision” and “Among the Shadows,” joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in September 2024 and took the military oath.
She is currently serving with the 3rd Army Corps, where she handles media relations for the Medical Service.
Ihor Lastochkin
Actor and comedian Ihor Lastochkin, known for “League of Laughter” and “Dancing with the Stars,” joined the Armed Forces in February 2025.
He initially served as an FPV drone operator in the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade “Kholodny Yar” and later became an officer and commander of an unmanned systems platoon.
Viktor Rozovyi
Comedian and actor Viktor Rozovyi, a participant in “The League of Laughter,” joined the Defense Forces after the start of the full-scale invasion.
He served in “Azov” and later in the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.
While carrying out a combat mission, Viktor Rozovyi was seriously wounded.
Daniel Salem
TV host and actor Daniel Salem joined the Ukrainian Defense Forces at the start of the full-scale invasion.
He initially served in territorial defense and later transferred to intelligence. Salem took part in combat operations, including the liberation of Kherson, and sustained injuries and a concussion.
Yurko Yurchenko
Singer and frontman of the band “Yurkesh,” Yurko Yurchenko, has been defending Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion.
He serves in the 49th Separate Assault Battalion “Carpathian Sich.”
Zhenya Galich
Singer and frontman of the band O.Torvald, Zhenya Galich, initially volunteered after the start of the full-scale invasion.
In April 2022, he joined the Armed Forces and carried out combat missions on the front lines.
In 2026, Zhenya Galich was discharged from service.
Khrystyna Panasyuk
Singer and musician Khrystyna Panasyuk joined the Defense Forces in the fall of 2023.
She initially served in a territorial defense brigade, and after the 2024 reform, her unit was transferred to the Marine Corps.
During her service, Khrystyna Panasyuk also worked as a military psychologist.
Serhiy Martynyuk
Serhiy Martynyuk, a musician, writer, and frontman of the band “Fiolet,” voluntarily joined the Armed Forces in May 2024.
He completed basic military training and began his service.
Andriy Barmaliy
Musician, saxophonist, and composer Andriy Barmaliy announced in August 2025 that he had joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Yaryna Kvasniy
Singer and literary scholar Yaryna Kvasniy, known for her performance of the song “Steam Engine,” has been serving in the First Separate Medical Battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces since December 2024.
She is currently a combat medic.
Marko Kvitka
Marko Kvitka, a finalist on the tenth season of “The Voice of Ukraine” and a former vocalist on “Dancing with the Stars,” joined the Armed Forces in early 2026.
He serves in the 46th Separate Podillia Airborne Brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces.
Vitaliy Bronishevsky
Vitaliy Bronishevsky, drummer for the band “Zhadan and the Dogs,” was mobilized into the National Guard of Ukraine in July 2025.
He joined the “Charter” brigade.
Sick Solution
Not only individual artists but also members of well-known Ukrainian bands have joined the ranks of the Defense Forces.
In particular, the musicians of the metal band Sick Solution from Vinnytsia are serving in the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the Ukrainian National Guard.
Recently, the musicians also auditioned for the show “Ukraine’s Got Talent.”
“Antytila”
The musicians of the band “Antytila” joined the territorial defense forces at the start of the full-scale invasion.
In June 2022, they were officially mobilized into the 130th Territorial Defense Battalion in Kyiv.
The soldiers took part in battles in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.
Not only well-known artists but also the children of Ukrainian celebrities joined the military.
Dmytro Kharchyshyn
Dmytro Kharchyshyn, the son of Valeriy Kharchyshyn, frontman of the band “Druga Rika,” voluntarily enlisted in the army immediately after the start of the full-scale invasion.
He served as a sapper and holds the rank of lieutenant.
Danylo Moiseev
Daniil Moiseev, the son of actress Rimma Zyubina, joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine after two unsuccessful attempts to enlist.
Before enlisting, he trained himself to operate drones.
Yaroslav Grubych
Yaroslav Grubych, the son of TV host Konstantin Grubych, also joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
While serving on the front lines, he was seriously wounded and lost his arm.
Roman Skrypka
Roman Skrypka, the son of Oleg Skrypka, frontman of the band “Vopli Vidoplyasova,” signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the age of 21.
In September 2026, Oleg Skrypka announced that his son’s contract had expired. Roman Skrypka later responded to the public discussion surrounding his discharge from service.
Mykhailo Sobolev
Mykhailo Sobolev, the son of TV host Marichka Padalko and politician Yegor Sobolev, signed a contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces at the age of 18.
Ukrainian artists, musicians, actors, and their children continue to serve in various units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, carrying out combat, media, medical, and other tasks.
