{
  "id": 380494,
  "title": "Duty and a Creative Bartender: How a Civilian Woman Joined Azov",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/duty-and-a-creative-bartender-how-a-civilian-woman-joined-azov",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T14:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Post",
    "slug": "kyiv-post",
    "url": "https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81857"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Margarita Koldanova enlisted in the Azov Corps, inspired by a creative bartender named Ed she met in Kyiv. She previously worked as a marketing manager for coffee shops and restaurants, and after leaving her job and living paycheck to paycheck, she decided to join the military. Ed's transformation photos from an Azov training camp convinced her to consider enlistment. She joined the media team of the 3rd Assault Brigade, but due to conflicting roles, she decided to fully join Azov. Koldanova now works for the Lyubart Brigade, part of the Azov Corps, where she supports her family and promotes the movement online. Despite the challenges of balancing military duties and civilian life, she remains motivated by her love for Ukraine and her former friend Ed.",
  "summary": "Margarita \"Margo\" Koldanova once managed marketing for Kyiv coffee shops and restaurants. Feeling that volunteering wasn't enough, she began asking how a civilian could serve – then discovered a former bartender she knew had joined Azov. Their conversations became a relationship, and eventually a marriage. Margo now works in Azov's media team, balancing a modest salary, freelance work, and the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Margarita Koldanova enlisted in Azov Corps after meeting creative bartender Ed in Kyiv.",
    "Ed's transformation photos from Azov training camp inspired Koldanova to consider joining military.",
    "Now works for Lyubart Brigade, promoting movement online while balancing military duties."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}