Alina Shukh, the 2017 U20 world champion in javelin throw and European youth and junior champion in heptathlon, has joined the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine. The 26-year-old athlete, who retired from professional sports in late 2021 due to health issues, announced her decision in an emotional statement.
According to Shukh, the road to military service was far from easy: “Two and a half months from the draft office to finalizing documents. Torn muscle, surgery, infection, no recovery… drones, reconnaissance, FPV, tactical medicine, tactics, navigation… A complete shift to a new life. A life full of meaning, honesty, emotion—and most importantly, people. Real people. The best. Heroes.”
She is currently serving with the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, known as “Khartia,” where she works with international volunteers from over 15 countries. Her role includes everything from recruitment and training to helping the soldiers in everyday life and preparing them for missions.
Before the full-scale invasion, Shukh worked as a financial advisor at Smart Family Office. After the war began, she combined her professional role with various volunteer initiatives, represented Ukraine in international competitions, and gave interviews to Western media to raise awareness.
“Every day now is worth hundreds of peaceful ones,” she wrote. “There is no past or future anymore—just a clear and concrete ‘today’. Evil will be defeated, that’s for sure. We don’t know when. But bringing that moment closer together with this new family is an experience worth more than anything I’ve ever lived or ever will.”