Team

Stanislav is an activist and member of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He grew up in the city of Sumy, where he graduated from school, and is currently studying at Sumy State University at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. He is interested in design and photography, combining technical thinking with a creative approach. He joined the movement thanks to his friends — active members of the community who shared the ideas of freedom and personal responsibility. Stanislav strives to develop himself and contribute to the changes that shape a free and conscious society.

«Freedom is the ability to live according to one's own beliefs, without being afraid to be oneself. It gives one the power to act, to be responsible for one's choices, and to create change around oneself. It is freedom that is the foundation of human dignity, development, and true happiness».

Aliya is an activist of USF. She was born in Chornomorsk, Odesa region. Since school, she has been actively involved in the civic life of her region: organising dialogues between youth and local authorities, conducting simulation models and intellectual games to develop analytical and communication skills.
She became acquainted with USF in 2023 during the Ukrainian Parliament simulation, and later participated in libertarian debates and the “Vitrenko – to the Wind” rally.
In 2024, she enrolled at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in National Security. At the same time, she has been actively involved in student life: serving as the head of the Social Department of the Student Parliament of the university and leading the Information Department of the Student Parliament of the institute.
She works as a project manager at the NGO “SPALAH!” and is passionate about poetry, participating in literary evenings.

«For me, freedom is not only the right to choose, but also the ability to act, make changes, and take responsibility for my decisions. Being part of USF means supporting youth in their pursuit of growth, inspiring active participation in society, and showing that change begins with you.»

Born in the city of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region. In 2022, he became a student at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine.

«Freedom, freedom – a golden key. There are cacti – but no thorns»

Mykyta Petukhov — activist and leader of USS. He was born in Kamianske and grew up in Dnipro. He became actively involved in public life in 2022, working across various forms of self-governance from high school councils to city-level bodies, including the youth councils of Dnipro and Kamianske, especially following the outbreak of the full-scale war. He is a volunteer for the organization Caritas, providing systematic support to people affected by the war. Since 2023, he has been leading the editorial team of the online magazine Khorugva. He actively participated in events organized by the Dnipro branch of USS for Youth Day. After completing the USS Leadership Program in 2026, he officially joined the organization, continuing to advance civic engagement and leadership projects at the national level.

«For me, freedom is not just an idea, but a daily practice and a goal I pursue relentlessly. USS unites those who believe in the power of youth and liberty. Youth — because only the new generation, raised in an independent Ukraine, can truly change the country. Liberty — because it gives people the chance to create, take risks, and build their own lives without external constraints. I strive not to wait for happiness somewhere in the future, but to create it here and now. Freedom has always been at the heart of our nation, and I believe it will be the driving force behind our development and prosperity.»

Andrii was born in the city of Mykolaiv, where he lived until completing the ninth grade at School No. 42. After that, he moved to Vinnytsia and enrolled in the Vinnytsia Technical Vocational College (VTFK). He initially applied for one specialty, but during his studies the academic program underwent rebranding, so he ultimately graduated with a degree in 123 “Computer Engineering.”
He is currently working as a hardware engineer and developing his expertise in 3D technologies, combining technical skill with an innovative approach to engineering.

«“For me, freedom is not an abstract concept but the foundation of a dignified life and a thriving society. USS is a community of people who are ready to take responsibility for their future and drive meaningful change here and now. We believe that young people who grew up in an independent Ukraine are the ones capable of transforming it. Freedom opens opportunities, and responsibility turns them into reality. I am convinced that Ukraine’s future is built not through coercion but through choice — the choice to be free and to act.”»

Kateryna is an activist at USS. She comes from the city of Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast, where she completed school. Since 2023, she has been studying at Bukovinian State Medical University in Chernivtsi, majoring in "Medical Psychology", and is currently a third-year student.
In July 2025, she joined the "Ukrainian Medical Students' Association", where she works within the SCOPH (Standing Committee on Public Health). After participating in the Leadership Program in Medzhybizh in August 2025, she became a member of USS, continuing to develop initiatives in public health and youth activism.

«For me, freedom is not an abstract idea but a daily choice and an inner drive to act. At Ukrainian Students for Freedom, we focus on giving young people the tools to transform the country, because it is the generation raised in an independent Ukraine that has the power to shape its future. And we choose freedom because history shows time and time again: where freedom exists, opportunities, prosperity, and development follow. I’m not looking for easy solutions or a better life somewhere abroad — I want to build it here, together with those who believe in responsibility, dignity, and the strength of a free individual. Freedom, the deepest value of our nation, is the foundation on which our future prosperity can grow.»

Ось природний і грамотний переклад англійською:

Kateryna is an activist of the Ukrainian Student of Freedom (USF). She grew up in Enerhodar and studied at a local lyceum. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, she moved to Lviv and later to Kyiv. She is now studying at the Kyiv Vocational College of Service Industry to become a pastry chef. She learned about libertarianism when she went to the PL. She realized that this was what she had believed in all her life, but she simply hadn’t known the word that could describe it.

«Ось якісний і стильний переклад англійською, збережений сенс і тон:

“The world tried to catch the USF, but did not succeed. Freedom is the foundation, the soil, the cornerstone.
For me, freedom is an inherent part of life — something that should be as innate as a person’s right to exist. But, as history shows, Ukrainians have had to fight for this freedom, shedding blood for it. Generation after generation, we defend it — and we continue to do so today.
The USF is a big family that unites people who strive to build a free and bright future for themselves at home, not somewhere else.”»

A photographer, event developer, and activist originally from the city of Smila in the Cherkasy region. She moved to Kyiv, where she combines creative work with social engagement. She studies interior design and urbanism for her own professional development and future projects. Her work spans photography, event creation, and social initiatives focused on women’s visibility and women’s rights. In her practice, she aims to merge aesthetics, social sensitivity, and new forms of expression.

«Culture changes through visibility and the voices of individuals. My creative work is rooted in the belief that women deserve to be heard, not sexualized or diminished. I strives to build an environment where freedom, dignity, and self-expression are the norm rather than the exception.»

Inna is an activist of the USS. She grew up in the village of Pishchane, Kremenchuk district, graduated from the "Polit" lyceum in Kremenchuk. In 2022, she entered the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University, Faculty of Psychology, where she is currently in her fourth year (2024). From 2024 to 2025, she studied at the European School of Psychology, where she studies Jungianism (depth/analytical psychology). In 2025, she joined the Studfreedom through the Leadership Program, which took place in August. In 2021, she took a personal growth program at the "Kvitka Zhittya" company, which lasted half a year, completed it in 2024, and since 2024 she has become the coordinator of these processes. Also, since 2025, she began her practical work as a psychologist.

«“For me, freedom is not the perfection of the laws about it, but my sense of myself. Of course, it depends on one’s, but laws cannot work flawlessly, which is why self-development and education of people is important to me. I would like everyone in this country to be happy and free, and for this to be determined not only by law, but also by self-sense. Freedom cannot be given, it exists from birth, it can only be taken away, so I want future generations not to fight for freedom, but to protect it. That’s why we fight for it».»

Yelyzaveta Ivanova is a student at the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy,” where she is pursuing a degree in Law. She actively combines her studies with participation in international educational programs, anti-corruption initiatives, and human rights projects.
She took part in the Summer School on European Law, Anti-Corruption Programs, and Administration at the Riga Graduate School of Law, and completed internships at leading law firms in Ukraine. She studied at the University of Genoa (Italy) in the course “Banking & Finance Law of the EU” and successfully completed a number of international academic programs.
Elizabeth is actively engaged in professional development initiatives: she has participated in programs by The Leavitt Institute, JustGroup, Invisible University for Ukraine (Central European University), and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
She volunteers for the “Legal Ambassadors” program and the Philip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition, and is a member of public organizations such as AIESEC, “Young Agents of Change,” and “Ukrainian Students for Freedom,” where she completed a youth leadership program.
Elizabeth has conducted trainings and lectures on human rights, anti-corruption in Ukraine, language policy, and civil capacity. She is fluent in English (C1) and Spanish (B1).

«No one can force a man to think — and that is why thinking is the primary act of freedom.»

Nazar has spent (and continues to spend) his life in Kyiv. He graduated from School 321 (2013–2024). Since 2024, he has been studying political science at Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman.
He learned about the USF in April during an Open Day and officially joined in August.
He enjoys reading books, riding his motorcycle, and simply enjoying life.

«What do I consider freedom?
It is the courage to follow your own path, even when it’s easier to follow the crowd.
As John Stuart Mill said, “The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way.”»

Diana Sverdlyuk grew up in the city of Khmelnytskyi, where she graduated from school. In 2025, she is a student at the Leonid Yuzkov Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Law, majoring in Management. She joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2025.

«Freedom is the right to choose. It is the ability to choose the path you consider necessary. It is the absence of restrictions from any side, the right to act as you want. It is to live freely, without restrictions, to independently build yourself and your life.»