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Thousands of people, including Ukraine’s president, paid their respects in Kiev on Friday “Da Vinci“A war veteran killed by the Russians in the Battle of Pakmud, a hot spot in eastern Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin also made a surprise appearance at the event on Independence Square in the center of the capital.
Dimitro”Da Vinci“Cotsupilo was a 27-year-old volunteer who led a battalion known as Da Vinci’s Wolves.
He took up arms in 2014 against Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
President Zelensky announced his death in a video message on Tuesday.
For his feats in arms, Dmytro “Da Vinci“In December 2021, Kotsupylo will be the youngest fighter to receive the country’s highest honor, the Hero of Ukraine medal, from President Zelensky.
On the spot, Valery Zalushny, the leader of the troops, knelt next to the coffin.
“Our road to success is very difficult. The price of this victory was the lives of our soldiers, the best Ukrainian citizens who defended the country with arms in hand“, he began.
“You must be sure that we will not be content to avenge you. We will definitely win. Rest in peace my friend“, the army chief added.
People dressed in mourning, carrying flowers and waving Ukrainian flags, made their way down the hill to the iconic Maidan Square. Many people wept as they passed his open coffin.
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