In times of national crisis, the measure of a judge often extends beyond jurisprudence. One of the most powerful recent examples comes from Ukraine, where Supreme Court Judge Ivan Mishchenko has moved between the courtroom and the frontline with purpose, humility, and resolve.
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Mishchenko, a father of three, first ensured his family’s safe passage to Poland. Then, like thousands of Ukrainians, he joined the Territorial Defence Forces. As a member of the 93rd Brigade, he led a platoon in critical defensive operations—most notably in the Battle of Trostyanets and the defence of Boryspil Airport, a strategic gateway to Kyiv.
After eight months on the battlefield, Mishchenko returned to Kyiv—not to retire, but to resume his judicial duties and spearhead judicial reform. He now chairs a commission responsible for overseeing judicial appointments, a cornerstone of Ukraine’s bid for European Union accession. In collaboration with legal institutions across Europe, including the UK, he’s working to ensure Ukraine’s courts emerge stronger and more credible than ever before.
“War shows you who you really are,” Mishchenko told The Times. “When everything is taken away, the truth of your character remains.”
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👉 “Ivan Mishchenko: War shows you who you really are” – The Times