‘Da Vinci’, the 27-year-old hero who has given his life for Ukraine after 9 years fighting against Russia

At just 27 years old, Lt. Dmytro Kotsyubailo known as ‘DaVinci’ Through his interest in fine arts, he won the hearts of the Ukrainians. “Ukrainian heroa, volunteer, man of symbol, man of courage”, thus described the president Volodimir Zelensky at his funeral.

The land of Bakhmut she was the last to see him alive, fighting alongside the battalion of the 67 Separate Mechanized Brigadealso called ‘Da Vinci’s Wolves’. He did it “for Ukraine”, stressed the president, “it hurts to lose our heroes. Brave, strong. loyal themselves and the state”.

Later, hundreds of people gathered at the Independence Squarea symbol of attempts to Ukraine to step out of the sphere of influence of Russia and approach the European Union. Defense Minister, Oleksii Reznikovand the general Valeriy Zaluzhnyihead of the Ukrainian armed forces, were among the dignitaries who paid their respects in the square.

Oksana Kotsiubailomother of ‘Da Vinci’, received posthumously, the Military Merit Cross. “We will never forget it. And we will always be grateful,” Zelensky recited.

Kotsiubailo was named ‘Hero of Ukraine’ in 2022, before the full-scale invasion of Russia, for his role in fighting the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine since the beginning of the armed conflict in 2014.

Kotsyubailo was linked to the movement Right Sectorcutting ultranationalist, paramilitary and political arm of the Azov Battalion. This group was born during the euromaidan And in the pro-Russian protests 2014. Critics say the groups’ radicalism and history of violence have helped Russian media portray them as “neo-Nazis” that threaten Russian-speakers living in Ukraine.

kyiv could see how hundreds of citizens came to the enclave to say goodbye and extol their “hero” shouting “Glory to the heroes!” and “Death to the Moscow Federation!”. In the midst of the clamor, they mobilized the coffin from the Cathedral of San Miguel, to the Plaza de la Independencia. All this accompanied by colleagues from the Army.

“It hurts to lose our heroes. Brave, strong. Loyal to themselves and to the State. we will never forget and we will always be grateful“Zelensky posted on Telegram.

President Vladimir Putin has justified his invasion by saying it is the only way to rid Ukraine of “neo-Nazis” backed by Western allies bent on destroying Russia.

kyiv and Western leaders dismiss such claims, describing Europe’s worst conflict since the Second World War as a land grab doomed to fail. In Russia, commentators pro-Kremlin and Yevgeny Prigozhinhead of the mercenary group Wagner whose fighters have led the charge in Bakhmut, celebrated the death of Kotsiubailo.