Ukrainian soldier, Dmytro Kotsubaylo, killed by Russian soldiers near Bakhmut

A Hero of Ukraine – Dmytro Kotsubaylo (“Da Vinci”) killed by Russians near Bakhmut. He has defended Ukraine since 2014… RIP, Hero. Eternal Glory.

For more than nine years, Ukrainian heroes have been fighting gruesome battles for their country, for the future of Ukraine. Peace and relative safety in the rear towns is their merit. Our confidence in the victory of Ukraine is their resilience and strength.

Ukraine will always remember its heroes. Our memory of them will not die. This enemy who came to Ukraine will perish.

The 67th brigade, soldiers, glory to your bravery! All Ukrainians who fight for Bakhmut, glory to your heroism! Thank you to all the soldiers whose resilience and perseverance are destroying the army of the occupier[s] in Donbas! Eternal memory to all those who gave their lives for Ukraine!”

“Today, Dmytro Kotsiubailo, [known as] ‘Da Vinci’, Hero of Ukraine, a volunteer, a symbol, a man of courage, has fallen in battle. The fighter of the 67th Separate Mechanised Brigade, the combatant. [He] died in the battle near the city of Bakhmut, in the battle for Ukraine.

He has been defending our independence and the dignity of our people since 2014. One of the youngest heroes of Ukraine. One of those whose personal history, character, and courage forever became the history, character, and courage of Ukraine.

He has been defending our independence and the dignity of our people since 2014. One of the youngest heroes of Ukraine. One of those whose personal history, character, and courage forever became the history, character, and courage of Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a video address. 

Kotsiubailo (call sign Da Vinci) became one of the youngest Ukrainian servicemen to receive the Hero of Ukraine national title in 2021. He was killed at the age of 27. 

The late fighter, whose battalion is part of the 67th Mechanized Brigade, took part in the EuroMaidan in 2014, soon after joining the military and fighting off Russia in Ukraine’s Donbas region. 

In November 2022, the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps was reformatted into the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade, with Kotsiubailo as head of one of the brigade’s battalions.

“For more than nine years, Ukrainian heroes have been fighting for the future of Ukraine. Peace and relative safety in the rear towns is their feat. Our confidence in the victory of Ukraine is their stability and strength,” added Zelensky. 

“Ukraine will always remember its heroes. Our memory of them will not die. This enemy who came to Ukraine will perish.”

Dmytro “Da Vinci” Kotsiubailo, a volunteer of the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and a Hero of Ukraine, has been killed at the front line in Donbas.