“We appreciate this”: Defender of Mariupol Danylo Korniakov receives a flat from the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation
17.09.2026
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34-year-old Mariupol defender Danylo Korniakov has become the owner of a flat through the “At Home” programme, implemented by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation jointly with the “Heart of Azovstal” project.
Danylo is originally from Tajikistan. Before the war, he served in the Ukrainian Navy. He was a boatswain aboard the frigate Hetman Sahaidachnyi, and later continued his service in other areas. Following the outbreak of the full-scale war, he defended Mariupol alongside his fellow servicemen. In March 2022, Danylo sustained a blast injury, and during an enemy assault on his position, he was taken prisoner. There, the defender endured brutal torture. While in captivity, he was beaten with batons and tortured with electric shock devices.
Danylo spent more than two and a half years in russian captivity. After returning home, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and sleep disturbances. Today, the defender has a Group II disability and is gradually recovering from what he went through. His own home will be a place of peace and strength for Danylo.
“Very spacious, bright flat. It is such a great help that I cannot even put it into words. Rinat Leonidovych, thank you very much for giving me a home of my own. We appreciate this,” the defender says.
Danylo’s return from captivity was the greatest happiness for his family. Now, together with his wife Nataliia, he is raising two daughters – Kira and Uliana. The younger daughter was born after everything the family had been through. For Nataliia, this became a symbol that life goes on.
“It is truly an indescribable happiness that, after everything my husband has been through and all that we have endured, we have a child. It is so wonderful that we can continue our family line, give life to another person and somehow move forward,” says Nataliia, the defender’s wife.
When the home was presented to them, Danylo and Nataliia, together with their daughters, looked around their new home, which is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable life.
“We greatly value our heroes and hope that this assistance from Rinat Akhmetov will be important to you and will become a reliable foundation for your best future. Danylo has two daughters and a wonderful wife. Today, as they were looking around the flat, they were smiling so much – even seven-month-old Kira was smiling. “They said how important this was for them, how much they liked the flat and how much they liked the interior. And every time, it is so heartwarming for me to hear that this flat gives them an opportunity to feel at home,” says Kseniia Sukhova, the Foundation’s Director General.
Danylo is still recovering from what he experienced in captivity, but he hopes to return to service. He feels a responsibility towards his fellow servicemen and wants to continue defending Ukraine.
The “At Home” programme provides flats for the defenders of Mariupol with Group I and Group II disabilities. Having a home of their own is not only a solution to their everyday needs, but also an important part of their journey towards post-traumatic growth – returning to a fulfilling life after combat and captivity.
