Voices From Ukraine’s Front Line:
Arizona Speaking Tour with Ukrainian Defenders
October 8 - October 11, 2026
This fall, Cactus and Tryzub will host three Ukrainian defenders whose lives reflect the full arc of Ukraine’s modern struggle—revolution, war, and resilience. Oleh Bonchynskyi, Denys Haida, and Mykola Melnyk bring firsthand experience from the front lines of the Russo-Ukrainian war, alongside deep commitments to civic leadership, humanitarian work, and Ukraine’s long-term recovery.
For media inquiries, collaboration proposals and sponsorship opportunities, please email: info@cactusandtryzub.com
From the 2014 Revolution of Dignity to active service in today’s Armed Forces of Ukraine, each speaker represents a different dimension of Ukraine’s defense. Oleh Bonchynskyi, a highly decorated soldier and community leader, has served for over a decade and now supports veterans while pursuing studies focused on rebuilding Ukraine’s agricultural future. Denys Haida, also a veteran of the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and Armed Forces, is both a decorated defender and founder of humanitarian initiatives supporting children and veterans affected by war. Mykola Melnyk, a senior lieutenant and company commander, combines frontline leadership with a distinguished legal and policy career, having contributed to over 150 legislative initiatives and now engaging international audiences on modern warfare. Together, they offer a rare, unfiltered perspective on how Ukraine is fighting—and adapting—in real time. Their insights span battlefield innovation, including drones and rapid technological adoption, as well as the human dimension of endurance, leadership, and sacrifice.
The tour will feature a dynamic range of formats, including panel discussions, community events, film screenings, and interactive Q&A sessions. Designed for policymakers, students, and the broader public, these events create space for meaningful dialogue and deeper understanding of current events in Ukraine and how they’re shaping global geopolitics.
More than a speaking tour, this is an opportunity to hear directly from those shaping history on the front lines—and to better understand what Ukraine’s fight means for the future of global security and democracy.
EVENT SCHEDULE COMING SOON. Arizona speaking and book tour events will be published by October 1st, 2026 on this page. Please keep checking our website for the most up-to-date information, RSVP links, and tour updates.
Meet the Soldiers
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Oleh Bonchynskyi
Senior Soldier-Operator in Armed Forces of Ukraine (ret). Co-Founder & Head, Khodoriv Organization for Support of ATO Veterans. Callsign “Bonya”.
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Mykola Melnyk
Senior Lieutenant in Armed Forces of Ukraine (ret). Founder & Director of Brave Children of Ukraine. Call sign “Fritz”
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Denys Haida
Senior Soldier-Operator in Armed Forces of Ukraine (ret). Founder at Brave Children of Ukraine. Call sign “Rosomakha”.
“My Maidan. War. Love. Fight”
Book Presentation by Mykola Melnyk
My Maidan: War. Love. Fight. is Mykola Melnyk’s deeply personal attempt to understand what has happened to Ukraine since the Revolution of Dignity in 2013–2014—and how those events transformed the course of his own life.
What began as the story of an ordinary Ukrainian citizen who stood up for his country became a journey from participant in the Maidan to volunteer fighter, and ultimately to a commander defending Ukraine on the battlefield. Melnyk’s story is not only about war; it is about the people, choices, relationships, sacrifice, and sense of duty that shape a nation’s struggle for freedom.
Written in trenches and hospitals, including during his recovery from a devastating battlefield injury, the book captures Ukraine’s long fight through the eyes of someone who lived it. It is both a personal chronicle and a record of a generation whose lives were forever changed by Russia’s aggression.
Above all, My Maidan is dedicated to the brothers and sisters who gave their lives defending Ukraine. Their stories, their sacrifice, and the memory of those who never came home are woven into Melnyk’s journey.
Through My Maidan, readers are invited to look beyond the headlines and understand the human story behind Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
*Only Ukrainian language version of the book is available during the fall 2026 tour
Brave Children of Ukraine
Support Ukraine’s Children, Support Ukraine’s Future
Brave Children of Ukraine is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Mykola Melnyk and Denys Haida. It is dedicated to supporting the children of Ukraine’s defenders—especially children who have lost a parent in the war, as well as children whose parents continue to serve on the front lines. The organization believes that honoring Ukraine’s heroes means standing beside the children they leave behind and helping protect their opportunity to build a hopeful future.
Through a growing network of programs, Brave Children of Ukraine provides educational and sports scholarships, psychological and medical support, legal assistance for families, wellness and recovery opportunities, birthday and holiday gifts, school supplies, and practical assistance for families facing the ongoing challenges of war. The foundation currently supports hundreds of Ukrainian children, helping them learn, grow, heal, and pursue their dreams despite the profound impact of war.
At the heart of its mission is a simple belief: Ukraine’s future begins with its children. By protecting their childhood, preserving their connection to Ukrainian language and culture, and investing in their education and well-being, Brave Children of Ukraine is helping build the next generation of a free, resilient, and democratic Ukraine.