I am the author of the Goodacity blog, a journalist, and a translator. For 16 years, I have worked in professional journalism, contributing to regional and national publications, both in print and online media. I have written reports, conducted interviews, reviews, articles on cultural, social, and charitable topics, as well as materials in the style of "solution journalism" and communication materials.
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I believe in the power of goodness and I am happy that as part of the Goodacity project, I can contribute to its expansion. I believe in the power of words and in the fact that communication can help make the world a better place. I know how, where and when to speak in order to be heard. And when you are heard, you can change the world!
Knitted Socks for the Front — A Gift from Two Schoolboys!
“Tell the soldiers these socks were knitted by two young brothers… They worked hard, every single stitch was made with care — for our Defenders on the front lines, to keep them warm!”
Two boys stand, arms full of knitted socks. Nazar and Zakhar Tkachenko, aged 15 and 11, are more than just schoolboys; they are two compassionate hearts knitting not just socks but a brighter future, stitch by stitch.
For the past three years, Nazar and Zakhar, from the village of Zelenkiv in the Cherkasy region, Ukraine, have been knitting socks, neck gaiters, rugs, and warm belts for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines.
“We started on the very first day and haven’t stopped since,” says Nazar. “We don’t keep an exact count, but we passed several hundred a long time ago!”
Their dedication speaks volumes about the spirit of solidarity and hope, showing that even the smallest hands can create great warmth for those who need it most.
Knitted Socks — Made with Love and Hope!
“When the full-scale war began,” Nazar recalls, “I was thirteen. My life was that of an ordinary kid — school, helping my parents with chores afterward, and in the evenings… sitting down with my mom and little brother to knit socks for our Defenders! Even though Zakhar was just a little boy at the time, he wanted to help too. He would unravel knitted items and wind the yarn into balls.”
Now Zakhar is 11, and he not only knits socks but also crochets rugs for Ukrainian soldiers and even sews.
“When I first started knitting, I was nine,” Nazar shares. “My mom used to knit on order, and I helped her. That’s how I got interested in it, and soon I was knitting for friends and relatives. Hats, scarves, gloves, socks — you name it, I can knit it now!”
Today, Nazar is 15.
“I dreamed of becoming a programmer,” he says, “but life had other plans, and now I’m studying to be an electrician. After finishing the 9th grade, I enrolled in an agricultural technical college, where I now juggle studying and volunteering.
When I get home from school, I help out around the house—with the garden, chores, and caring for our pig, chickens, and goat. After we finish homework and lend a hand to our parents, Zakhar and I sit down to knit. By now, it’s become a family tradition.”
For Nazar, knitting isn’t work — it’s relaxation, almost meditative. What warms his heart most is knowing that the socks he knits will soon bring comfort to a Ukrainian soldier.
“When we have the chance, we’ll spend an entire day knitting! Some people look forward to weekends for leisure or outings, but for us, it’s time to knit all day long. The only thing we need is enough yarn! We used up all our own supplies long ago, so we’re incredibly grateful to the kind people who send us more.”
As winter approaches, the demand for warm knitted items has grown exponentially. Nazar and Zakhar now spend every spare moment knitting because Ukrainian soldiers are counting on them!
Hands That Knit Hope, Hearts That Bring Warmth
“I’ve reached the point where I knit almost on autopilot,” Nazar shares. “I’ve gotten so skilled that I can finish a pair of socks in just one evening. When the power outages started, I even learned to knit in the dark. I used to be terrified of the dark and would turn on a light at the slightest shadow, but the blackouts cured me of that fear. Now, I can walk and knit without seeing a thing!” he laughs.
“When we posted online that we’re knitting for the military, kind-hearted people began sending us yarn. A huge thank you to everyone who helps us! People know about us not only in our own village but also in all the surrounding ones. My brother and I even have our own YouTube channel called ‘And the Guys Knit.’ It’s about knitting, our cooking experiments, and lots of other interesting things!”
The socks knitted by Nazar and Zakhar are sent to Ukraine’s various military units and directions: Kherson, Donetsk, and beyond.
“Many of our neighbors and relatives are fighting, but for us, they’re all family. There are no ‘ours’ and ‘not ours’—everyone who defends us is one of us,” the brothers say.
They send their socks through volunteers to places where they are requested by soldiers. While they may not know exactly who receives their socks, they’re happy knowing their work is keeping Ukrainian defenders warm.
“Some soldiers who received our socks even recorded thank-you videos for us,” Nazar says with pride.
“It felt so amazing! Whenever I’m really tired or feel like I don’t have the energy to knit, I rewatch those videos, and my strength comes back. If I can bring warmth to one of our defenders, there’s no time for exhaustion! The most important thing is for us to win and for all our soldiers to return home alive, healthy, and safe to their families.”
Little Patriots of a Great Country
“They’re the kind of kids who can’t sit idle,” says the boys’ mother, Mrs. Zoya, with a smile. “They knit, cook together, experiment in the kitchen. Nazar is the main knitter, and Zakhar also sews and embroiders. Recently, they started a YouTube channel where they share all their creative projects.”
Their love for crafts began in early childhood.
“When they were little, I’d sit in the evenings knitting, and they’d sit next to me — winding yarn into balls, helping out. They learned by watching,” Zoya explains with a laugh. “And when just watching got boring, they wanted to try it themselves. ‘Mom, show me how! Let me give it a go!’ Nazar learned to knit first when he was small, and later he taught his younger brother, Zakhar.”
“They used to knit just for fun, for friends, but when the full-scale war began, they started knitting daily for our soldiers—on their own, without anyone prompting them. ‘We need to keep our Defenders warm’ — that’s all the motivation they needed. And nearly three years later, they haven’t lost that spark or their drive to help.”
The boys often put on a movie or the news and sit down together to knit.
“They’re just regular kids,” Zoya says. “They love playing, kicking a soccer ball around, riding their bikes. But they’re the type who can’t sit still when they know they can help.
We’ve been knitting for the front for three years now. If we run out of yarn, we unravel old knitted items the boys have outgrown, steam the yarn, and reuse it. But even that’s running out now, so we’re incredibly grateful to the kind people who send us yarn!”
“When the boys send socks to the front lines, they include sweets, hand-drawn cards, and heartfelt letters. “We want the soldiers to feel appreciated,” Nazar explains, “to know that even kids are grateful for their daily sacrifices.”
The volunteers who deliver the socks share stories of the soldiers’ reactions. “You can’t imagine how much it means to the guys on the front lines to receive a package from children,” they tell the family. “It touches them deeply. They keep the letters in their body armor, hang the drawings on the walls of their bunkers, and reread them for encouragement. And when they find out the socks were knitted by schoolboys, it’s even more special!”
As Mrs. Zoya says goodbye, she adds with a smile, “When you write this, don’t overpraise the boys. They’re just regular, down-to-earth kids. They’re inspired by our Defenders, and if their example inspires others, there will be even more warmth for our soldiers!”
