Hero of Ukraine Dmytro "Da Vinci" Kotsyubailo killed in Donbas

A Ukrainian serviceman, commander of the 1st separate mechanized battalion of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Da Vinci Wolves" Dmytro Kotsyubailo (call sign "Da Vinci") was killed in the Russo-Ukrainian war, announced President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"A hero of Ukraine, a volunteer, a man-symbol, a man of courage. He died in the battle near Bakhmut, in the battle for Ukraine. One of the youngest heroes of Ukraine. One of those whose personal history, character, and courage have forever become the history, character, and courage of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

Dmytro Kotsyubailo is a well-known Ukrainian volunteer who participated in the Revolution of Dignity and stood up to defend Ukraine in 2014.

At the time, Dmytro was only 18 years old. However, he became the commander of a platoon of volunteers and later a company. In 2014, he was seriously wounded in Donetsk Oblast, but after recovering, he immediately returned to the front.

Dmytro Kotsyubailo was in eastern Ukraine for all eight years, from 2014 until the full-scale invasion. He said that he could have found himself in civilian life, but he was going to be at the front until Ukraine returns all the occupied territories.

"I feel pain for Ukraine. I want victory for it. As long as there is danger, and it has been constant for all these eight years, I consider it my civic duty to defend it with arms in hand," he said.

At the age of 21, Dmytro Kotsyubaylo became the commander of his famous unit, the then 1st separate assault company "Da Vinci Wolves", which was part of the 5th battalion of the Right Sector Volunteer Ukrainian Corps. In 2022, the Wolves' unit was manned to the size of a battalion.

In 2017, Da Vinci received the Order of the People's Hero of Ukraine, and in 2021, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. He became the youngest commander and the first volunteer to receive this title while alive.

After receiving the title of Hero of Ukraine, he said that he perceives this award as "for all volunteers" — all his soldiers who are defending the country.

"For me, this award is primarily for my brothers-in-arms. The soldiers who have believed in me and our victory for all eight years. The guys who were killed or wounded," said Dmytro.

Even during his lifetime, Dmytro Kotsyubaylo was called legendary. His great-grandfather was a veteran of the UPA, but the soldier himself said that he dreamed of becoming an artist, which explains his pseudonym. The guy studied in various branches of artistic specialization, and his friends christened him "Da Vinci". This nickname came in handy during the Revolution of Dignity, when it was dangerous to tell his real name.

"Da Vinci" was not a career soldier and did not serve in the Armed Forces. It was only in 2022 that he was granted the lowest military rank of junior lieutenant.

At the age of 27, he laid down his life for Ukraine.

"We have chosen this way of fighting. The war continues," Da Vinci said.