Roman Ratushnyi is a Kyiv activist who fought against illegal developments, corruption, and police brutality. In 2013, at the age of 15, he participated in the Revolution of Dignity. Some sources point out that a 15-year-old boy was beaten by a special forces unit ordered by former Ukrainian president Yanukovych. After the Ukrainian Revolution, the boy was mainly engaged in protests against illegal construction in the green areas of the city. On February 24, 2022, Roman Ratushnyi signed up for the territorial defense. The activist defended Kyiv, later — the Sumy region. In April, Ratushnyi joined the armed forces of Ukraine and went to defend the country in the Kharkiv direction. The young man was killed by an enemy trap on 9 June. His death was officially confirmed on 14 June.
As it became known on July 8, the Institute of law at the Kyiv national university named after Taras Shevchenko established a student prize in honor of the Ukrainian hero. The university confirmed it on its official Facebook page.
"The scholarship is based on recognition of Roman's courage and leadership to help legal educators who share the vision of social change and are willing to commit themselves to social initiatives and the public sector," wrote the university press office.
It is also known that lawyers and legal experts from the best international firms Allen & Overy, Morgan Lewis and Norton Rose Fulbright and AVELLUM have come together to create this award. Lawyers will be able to receive the scholarship, as Roman Ratushnyi was a lawyer.
