In his address marking Ukrainian Armed Forces Day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about Ukrainian warriors honored through murals in Ukraine and around the world.
“How important it is, rushing through your day, to pause at least for a moment. To walk not past, but beside. To look into these paintings, into these eyes. To remember what they have done in the war for Ukraine’s independence. To value it. And for that, we must know. Know the story of each one of them,” the Head of State noted.
The President recorded his video address against the backdrop of the Ghost of Kyiv mural, dedicated to the tactical aviation pilots of the Ukrainian Air Force who, since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, have been defending the skies over the capital (located in Kyiv at 3/7 Mezhyhirska Street).
Among those depicted in the murals:
Maksym Yalovtsov (“Regbist”), who spent his childhood in Donbas, studied in Kyiv, was passionate about rugby, became a Master of Sports in grappling, free fight, and MMA, and a multiple-time medalist at world championships in pankration and jiu-jitsu – and ultimately a defender of Ukraine. Maksym Yalovtsov was killed in 2022 behind enemy lines while carrying out a combat mission (mural located in Kyiv at 25 Myloslavska Street).
Oleksii Movchan (“Tin”), platoon commander of the OUN volunteer unit, who on the day of his death, together with his brothers-in-arms, rescued eleven people and a cat from the rubble in the Donetsk region (mural located in Kyiv at 4 Anna Akhmatova Street).
Andrii Ohorodnyk (“Odzhos”), a 23-year-old warrior who defended his native Kyiv from the first days of the full-scale Russian aggression, held positions near Horenka, Pushcha-Vodytsia, and Moshchun together with his brothers-in-arms, and later flew to besieged Mariupol to assist Azov fighters. He broke through to Azovstal with his unit, where he was killed by shrapnel on April 26, 2022 (mural located in Kyiv at 22v Novatoriv Street).
Maksym Bordus (“Boks”), Ukrainian kickboxing champion, winner and medalist of dozens of tournaments, a fan of FC Dynamo Kyiv, a native of the capital who defended Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Maksym Bordus was killed on June 11, 2023, during fierce fighting near Mala Tokmachka (mural located in Kyiv at 41/1 Chervonoi Kalyny Avenue).
The mural “For the Sake of Freedom”, symbolizing the resilience and selflessness of Ukrainians, expresses gratitude to our Heroes and reminds us of those who protect our freedom (located in Kyiv at 16 Ihorivska Street).
“Zaporizhzhia Avenger,” dedicated to Roman Hlomba, who destroyed seven enemy aircraft with an Igla MANPADS and is the youngest Hero of Ukraine (located in Kyiv at 17 Yaroslavska Street).
The address also features a series of murals near the Darnytskyi Bridge depicting many well-known Ukrainian warriors, including Oleksii Nedolia (“Popeye”), Yevhen Orlov (“Aibolit”), Andrii Podybailo (“Naruto”), Kyrylo Zibrov (“Zimba”), Taras Zherebetskyi (“Barman”), Heorhii Khalikov (“Diadia Zhora”), Oleksii Naida (“Tykhyi”), Yevhen Svitlychnyi (“Zheka”), Maksud Bozhko (“Siabro”), Rodion Savchuk (“Koiot”), and many others.
The video also shows four murals in Kharkiv, one of which is dedicated to Andrii Khrypunov (“Psykh”) and a warrior known by the call sign “Vzhyk” (Kharkiv, 12 Klasychnyi Lane).
Andrii Khrypunov, a museum studies specialist before the invasion, joined a separate reconnaissance and sabotage unit of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine after the full-scale Russian war started. He served as a sapper and combat medic, took part in the Kharkiv counteroffensive, and was killed in action at the age of 21.
“Vzhyk,” whose personal details cannot yet be disclosed, studied history before the full-scale war. His expertise in topography and cartography enabled a successful evacuation under enemy fire during the battles for Soledar. He was killed while carrying out a combat mission in the Kupyansk direction.
Another mural honors Oleh Sapalenko (“Yuvelir”), a master jeweler who was an active participant in the Revolution of Dignity in Kharkiv. A fan of FC Metalist Kharkiv. From 2016, he defended Ukraine in the East, and during Russia’s full-scale invasion, served as a reconnaissance sniper defending the Kharkiv region (the mural is located in Kharkiv at 108 Traktorobudivnykiv Avenue).
Danylo Pohorilov (“Floki”), who had astigmatism in both eyes, underwent vision correction and later defended the Kharkiv region. During one operation, thanks to his actions and the coordinated efforts of his brothers-in-arms, a group of our defenders was successfully extracted from encirclement. He was killed while suppressing Russian infantry with machine-gun fire and covering the group’s advance (the mural is located in Kharkiv at 5 Hryshchenka Street).
Oleksii Ostapenko (“Plastyd”) – an airborne trooper who had been defending Ukraine since the days of the Anti-Terrorist Operation. While constantly serving on the front line, he kept joking and encouraging his wife, often repeating, “If not us, then who?” (the mural is located in Kharkiv, in the Osnovyanskyi District).
A mural in Zlatopil, in the Kharkiv region, depicts Hero of Ukraine Oleh Fadieienko (“Malysh”), who volunteered in 2014 and, during Russia’s full-scale invasion, took part in the Slobozhanskyi counteroffensive, liberated Balakliia, Kupyansk, and Kherson. He also fought in the battles for Bakhmut and its surrounding areas (the mural is located in the city of Zlatopil).
Volodymyr Demchenko (“Dem”) was a builder and a sports enthusiast who became a defender of Ukraine. After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he served with the Defense Intelligence unit “Kraken,” and later transferred to the 108th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. He was killed while carrying out a combat mission in the village of Luhivske, in the Zaporizhzhia region, one day after his birthday (the mural is located in the city of Zlatopil).
Mykyta Chymshyt (“Dok”) played the accordion and practiced folk dancing. He earned qualifications as a feldsher and later as a physical rehabilitation specialist. He met Russia’s invasion while serving in the Joint Forces Operation area, became a combat medic, and saved the lives of Ukrainian warriors (the mural is located in the city of Zlatopil).
Andrii Chernykov (“Chornyi”), a native of the Kharkiv region, decided to continue his military career after completing his mandatory service. During Russia’s full-scale aggression, he became a squad leader in an operational assignment company and took part in combat in the Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. He was killed on February 14, 2023, during the battles for Bakhmut (the mural is located in the city of Zlatopil).
A mural in Lviv depicts Hero of Ukraine Taras Chaika (“Khimik”), a volunteer who became the commander of a reconnaissance platoon. During fighting in the Donetsk region, despite being wounded, he led his crew out from under tank fire and, by doing so, saved the lives of his brothers-in-arms (the mural is located in Lviv at 1 Ostrohradskykh Street, Lviv Scientific Lyceum No. 1 named after Antonych, where Taras Chaika studied).
Taras Bereziuk (“Synkhivskyi,” “Kotsiuba”) was a historian, educator, and an ATO veteran. He returned to military service after February 24, 2022, took part in the battles for Lyman, Lysychansk, and Siverskodonetsk, and was killed on Ukraine’s Independence Day (the mural is located in Lviv at 29 Trylovskoho Street).
Oleh Khrystenko (“Krylov”), a native of Lviv, an IT specialist and creator of AR and 3D projects, was mobilized after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He took part in combat operations in the Donetsk region and was killed while assaulting enemy positions near Bakhmut (the mural is located in Lviv at 127a Chervonoi Kalyny Avenue).
Yurii Dadak (“Ruf”) was a poet, publisher, and screenwriter who defended Ukraine from the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion and took part in the defense of the Luhansk region. He was killed in a mortar attack on April 1, 2022 (the mural is located in Lviv at 8 Kolomyiska Street).
Also depicted on the Lviv murals shown in the President’s address is Hero of Ukraine Vasyl Slipak (“Mif”) – a volunteer, a participant in the Revolution of Dignity, and a world-renowned opera singer, a soloist of the Paris National Opera. He fought in Pisky near Donetsk Airport and took part in the battles for Avdiivka (the mural is located in Lviv at 9 Doroshenko Street).
One of the murals in Chernihiv depicts Vitalii Trukhan (“Bitsukha”), who studied to become a first responder but left university in 2014 and went to the ATO area. He was killed in March 2022 in combat while defending Mariupol (the mural is located in Chernihiv at 4b Kozatska Street, the lyceum where Vitalii Trukhan studied).
In addition, the video features murals not only from other cities across Ukraine, but also from Europe and around the world, including the United States, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the Baltic states.
“And I know this for certain: one day, in peaceful Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv – anywhere in Ukraine – a little child, seeing one of these portraits, will ask their parents, “Who is this?” And they will know what to respond; they will tell the story for certain, and it will happen again, and again, and it will be passed from generation to generation, because we will forever preserve this memory and respect for our warriors. For their principles, their qualities, their will, their strength, their perseverance. For all the finest virtues,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.