Yuriy Shapovalov

Yuriy Shapovalov is a 61-year-old physician from Donetsk, Ukraine, who has endured significant hardships due to the ongoing conflict in the region. A pediatric neurophysiologist with 25 years of experience, he was arrested in 2018 on charges of espionage for documenting life in occupied Donetsk through his Twitter blog, where he shared insights into the realities of living under occupation. During his imprisonment in a high-security colony, he remained hopeful about Ukraine's resilience against Russian aggression. After spending over seven years in captivity, he was released in August 2025 as part of a prisoner exchange. Recently, he was recognized as a leader in Ukrainian society by receiving the 'UP 100' award, highlighting his unwavering spirit and commitment to Ukraine's independence.