(opinion article)

Since February 24, many ordinary Ukrainians have joined the fight against the common enemy – Russia. This terrorist country continues to kill the sons and daughters of Ukraine every day, sparing neither children nor adults.

Unfortunately, war takes the lives of the best. Everyone who gave his or her life for Ukraine is a hero.

Today I would like to tell you about Ukrainian heroes who defend or have defended our land.

1. Dmytro Kotsyubailo “Da Vinci”

He was born in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. Took an active part in the Maidan, in 2014 – went to the front. In the spring of 2022, the “Da Vinci Wolves” company was reformed into 1 separate mechanized battalion, “Da Vinci Wolves”. In 2021, Dmytro received the title of Hero of Ukraine. Unfortunately, on March 7, 2023, Dmytro died near Bakhmut. President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the top military leadership of Ukraine came to pay their last respect: Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhnyi, head of intelligence Kyrylo Budanov, Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov and brigadier generals of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Dmitry was 27 years old.

2. Matsievsky Oleksandr

A soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who died after saying “Glory to Ukraine”. After that, he was shot by Russian soldiers. Hero of Ukraine posthumously.

3. Anna Andryushchenko

A paramedic from Kharkiv who, in the first months of the war, worked at the Kharkiv Center for Emergency Medical Assistance and Disaster Medicine. Based on Anna’s prototype, the TV series “I am Nadia” was filmed.

4. Denys Prokopenko

He is a lieutenant colonel, the commander of the special purpose regiment “Azov,” which, together with marines and national guardsmen, heroically held the defense of Mariupol and the “Azovstal” plant. On March 19, he received the title “Hero of Ukraine”.

5. Maryana Mamonova

A paramedic from Azovstal, who was captured. Maryana was pregnant at the time of her capture. During the large exchange on September 21, the woman was returned to Ukraine, and a few days later she gave birth to a girl, Anna. She impresses with her strength and courage, despite this condition and the events that surrounded her.

These 5 people are only a tiny fraction of those who are currently defending or have defended Ukraine. Heroes are not only military, but also medics, volunteers, emergency services and many, many other Ukrainians.