On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that D. Kociubaylo, the hero of the country, who led the famous “Da Vinci Wolves” unit, was killed in the battles near Bakhmut.
“A hero, volunteer, human symbol of Ukraine died today in battle. Dmytro Kociubajlo – fighter of the 67th separate mechanized brigade, battalion commander. He died in the battle near Bakhmut, in the battle for Ukraine,” said V. Zelenskis.
Ukrainian journalists shared a photo of the hero on the Instagram social network on Wednesday and provided more details about the circumstances of his death.
“The day before yesterday, you drove a tank into enemy positions before my eyes, and then you led the people who stormed the area. And they did not hesitate to follow you because they trusted their leader.
The next day, she put out a burning tank full of ammunition with her bare hands and a bottle of water, when everyone was afraid to even approach it. You are a hero of Ukraine. The best of the best. Warrior. A friend. A legend,” the photographers wrote on Instagram.
Dmytro Kotsyubaylo was the first volunteer to be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine while he was still alive.
They noted that a soldier was killed in front of them in a firefight.
“You told us to stay in hiding. Explosions, lots of explosions. A minute later shouts: “Mediko!” Doctor! Da Vinci!”
We believed until the end. We prayed until the last. You were the bravest person we ever knew. It was as if you were immortal. Until the end of our days, we will be proud to have known you. Heroes don’t die,” the photographers wrote.
Dmytro Kotsyubaylo was the first volunteer to be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine while he was still alive.
He was born in the village of Zadnestriansk in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, and went to war at the age of 18, right after the Maidan events.
Tags: Journalists told details death Ukrainian soldier Bakhmut explosions heard
