Kyiv honours memory of Hero of Ukraine Da Vinci: He would have turned 31 on 1 November. PHOTOS
On the birthday of Hero of Ukraine Dmytro (Da Vinci) Kotsiubailo, who would have turned 31 on 1 November, his family, friends and comrades-in-arms gathered at Askold’s Grave in Kyiv to honour the fallen commander’s memory.
This is according to a report by Suspilne, Censor.NET reports.
Honouring the Hero’s memory
Those gathered brought flowers to Kotsiubailo’s grave, sang the Ukrainian national anthem together and observed a minute’s silence in his memory.
The serviceman’s sister, Oleksandra Kotsiubailo, said she had decided to pursue a military career after her brother’s death. She is now a cadet at the Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
"I had not previously planned to pursue a military career, but after (my brother’s — ed.) death, I decided it was my duty to carry on the work he was so passionate about," Oleksandra said.
After the official ceremony, a small gathering for those closest to Dmytro was held at the philharmonic hall.
According to Volodymyr Bilyk, head of the communications group of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment named after Dmytro Kotsiubailo, it was an opportunity to remember the commander without excessive pomp and spend time with those who knew him.
"This occasion gives us an opportunity to recall warm moments, but at the same time it is deeply tragic, because we will no longer be able to make new memories with our commander," Bilyk said.
What is known about Da Vinci?
- Dmytro Kotsiubailo was born on 1 November 1995 in the village of Zadnistrianske (now part of the Burshtyn community in the Ivano-Frankivsk region). He first attended Bovshiv Secondary School and later studied art at the Ivano-Frankivsk Vocational Construction Lyceum.
- Dmytro took up the defence of Ukraine at the age of 18, immediately after the Revolution of Dignity. In late 2014, he was seriously wounded in Pisky in the Donetsk region, but returned to the front line immediately after recovering. Before the full-scale invasion, he served as a volunteer fighter and later joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- He fought in various sectors.
- On 30 November 2021, Dmytro Kotsiubailo was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Gold Star.
- In 2022, he was awarded the military rank of junior lieutenant. The legendary commander Da Vinci was killed on 7 March 2023 in fighting in the Bakhmut sector.
