Athletes, actors and animal volunteers: four Mykolaiv residents are in the ranking of Ukrainian leaders «UP-100»

The rating of Ukrainian leaders in 2025 «UP-100» includes four Mykolaiv residents. Photo: NikVesti

The publication «Ukrainska Pravda» has traditionally presented a rating of 100 well-known Ukrainian figures for 2025 who are already shaping Ukraine's independence and future. The list includes four representatives of the Mykolaiv region.

The rating «UP-100» consists of six main categories: Defenders, Society, Public Administration, Business, Culture and Sports.

«2025 was a year of difficult decisions. We are learning to live on the edge — between fatigue and strength, between compromise and principle, between adapting and remaining ourselves. The choice has become not just a political or professional one, but a deeply personal one», reads the statement of «Ukrainska Pravda».

The rating includes the following from the city of Mykolaiv:

Honoured Artist of Ukraine, theatre and film actor Oleksandr Rudynskyi

Oleksandr Rudynskyi. Photo: instagram.com/sasha_rudinskiy

The UP stressed that Oleksandr Rudynskyi's talent is able to cross any boundaries with the ease of a person born to create.

«He has an extraordinary soul, putting love, truth and true humanity into every moment of his work. Sasha's compassion, curiosity and deep empathy shape his view of people, and his humility in the way he goes about his life sets him apart. His presence carries a light that seems almost spiritual, a beacon that inspires and gives hope to everyone who is lucky enough to witness it. I am absolutely convinced that Sasha is destined to become a world-famous athlete,» said film producer and BAFTA award winner Haider Rothschild Khuzir.

Eight-time world freediving record holder Kateryna Sadurska

Ekaterina Sadurskaya. Photo: ukrainky.com.ua

Kateryna Sadurska is a Mykolaiv-based athlete who not only represented Ukraine at the 2016 Olympic Games in the past, but also made international sporting history. Only recently, she set a new, eighth world record in freediving, diving 86 metres in the constant weight without fins (CNF) discipline at the AIDA competition in Dominica.

According to the «Ukrainska Pravda», her coach Andrii Liashenko's phrase «You have to put in more effort!» eventually became Kateryna's credo. She has repeated it many times, emphasising that a person should be responsible for their performances.

Oleksii Sereda, world vice-champion in diving

Oleksii Sereda. Photo: Facebook page of the NOC

Oleksii Sereda made a name for himself on the international stage back in 2019 when he made his debut at the World Championships at the age of 13 and immediately reached the final, taking fourth place among adult athletes.

A few weeks later, at the Kyiv sports complex «Liko», he won gold at the European Championships, becoming the youngest winner in history.

Since then, the young diver has returned from major tournaments with medals every time: he has already won 11 European Championships (eight gold and three silver) and five medals at world championships. This year, Oleksii Sereda became the European champion three times and brought Ukraine its only silver medal at the World Aquatics Championships.

«When you look at these statistics, it's hard to believe that he is only 19. He didn't have the physical attributes that would meet the standards of a diver, but his hard work, determination and inner strength — the same that helps him jump from a ten-metre tower at a speed of over 50 km/h every time — overcome not only fear but also all the difficulties brought by years of war, separation from home and family,» said Tamara Tokmachova, Oleksii Sereda's personal trainer.

Absolute world powerlifting champion, animal rights activist and volunteer Anna Kurkurina

Anna Kurkurina. Photo: Long Lead

She is described as a person who destroys any idea of the limits of the possible. According to UP, Anna Kurkurina, a multiple world powerlifting champion, has become a symbol of inner strength and support for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians.

«Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Anna has not hesitated to turn her energy to volunteering. She helps animals, rescues them from the frontline areas, collects food, equipment and medicines for shelters and animal rights activists. Her little video instructions on animal rescue and advice on how to help have become a kind of «field school» for many people who want to do good but don't know where to start,» the agency said.

As a reminder, in 2023, three Mykolaiv residents were included in the ranking of Ukrainian leaders in times of war: Vitalii Kim, Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, Andrii Vadaturskyi, owner and CEO of the «Nibulon agricultural holding», and Olha Harlan, fencer and Olympic champion.

In March 2024, she and Olha Maliarchuk, a former advisor to Vitalii Kim, the head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, were included in the «UP 100 list. Power of Women».

And in November of the same year, Mykolaiv athlete Olha Kharlan and multiple Paralympic champion Tsvetov were included in the list «UP 100».