Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Kotsyubailo dies near Bakhmut

The legendary Hero of Ukraine, Dmytro Kotsyubailo, also known as "Da Vinci," has died in a battle near Bakhmut.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a video address on Tuesday, March 7, Ukrinform reports.

"'Da Vinci,' a Hero of Ukraine, volunteer fighter, an iconic and courageous person - Dmytro Kotsyubailo - died in a battle today. A fighter with the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade, a battalion commander. He died in the battle near Bakhmut, in the battle for Ukraine," Zelensky said.

He recalled that Kotsyubailo had been defending Ukrainian independence, the dignity of the Ukrainian people since 2014, being one of the youngest Heroes of Ukraine.

"He is one of those whose personal history, character, and courage forever became the history, character, and courage of Ukraine," the president said.

Photo: Dmytro Kotsyubailo / Facebook