Dmytro M. Stepanov (Brakonier)

Stepanov Dmytro Mykhailovych was born on June 15, 1987. In 1993, he started school, where he studied for 11 years. He graduated in 2004 from the Secondary School of I–III degrees in the village of Susk, Kivertsi district, Volyn region. In 2004, he studied at the Higher Vocational School No. 2 in Lutsk and obtained the profession of a construction carpenter. In 2006, he served in the army, in the internal troops of Ukraine (military unit 3021, 4th company). After the army, he worked for a while at a company that manufactured furniture, and later built a workshop for himself, bought machines, and worked at home. On May 2, 2010, Dmytro married Natalia. Unfortunately, they lived together for only 5 years. On October 12, 2010, their daughter was born, and Dmytro named her Ivanna. He loved his wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother very much. Together with his friend Andriy Karpyuk, he made a sawmill by hand according to his own design. Dmytro crafted various furniture from wood with his own hands. He taught himself to do everything. He was a jack of all trades. There was no job that was beyond his capabilities. In 2013, he became a hunter. This was his passion. Every Sunday, Dmytro went hunting. It was like a rest for him. Dmytro loved and respected his family very much. On August 31, 2014, he was mobilized to the ATO zone. Without any doubts, discussions, or objections, he went to war. On April 3, 2015, while performing a combat mission, Dmytro Stepanov was killed by a mine explosion in the city of Avdiivka, Donetsk region. Natalia Stepanova, his wife: "In the fall of 2008, I met Dima. On May 2, 2010, we got married. We lived soul to soul. There was always harmony, peace, and most importantly — respect for each other in our family. On October 12, 2010, our daughter was born, whom Dima named Ivanna. He loved his daughter very much and did everything to ensure she grew up in goodness and prosperity. I work as a primary school teacher at the Secondary School of I–III degrees in the village of Susk. Therefore, Dima spent more time with our daughter since I went to work at school. Dmytro had golden hands. There was no job he didn't know how to do. Dima was a carpenter by God. He made furniture from wood, so a lot was done by him in the house. He loved hunting and fishing. He was kind, attentive, cheerful, a loving father, a beloved husband, a caring son and grandson for his mother and grandmother, a reliable support for the family, and an unwavering friend for his comrades and brothers-in-arms. The third wave of mobilization became fateful for us. On August 29, 2014, they brought a summons, informing us that he should report with his belongings to the military enlistment office on August 30. Ignoring our tears, Dima said: "Don't worry, everything will be fine, I will come back alive and healthy!" His military journey began in the city of Yavoriv. On November 8, their brigade was sent to the Donetsk region; he was in the 3rd battalion of the 9th company of the 80th brigade. There was not a day that I did not hear his voice, and our daughter supported him with her own song: "Daddy, daddy, you are our good one, you are our dear one, our lovely one!" And this lifted the spirits in difficult moments at the front. Dima was in hot spots: Pisky, Opytne, Tonenke, Vodiane, Avdiivka… His last leave on February 15 will forever remain in my memory. When the door unexpectedly opened and Dima stood on the threshold of our home. You cannot imagine what great happiness that was. I didn't know what to do with my joy. Those 10 days flew by like one day, and again — separation forever and anxiety. April 3 became a black day in my life — the death of my beloved husband and loving father. He will remain the best for me because with him I always felt strong and protected. I was behind Dima like behind a stone wall. My daughter waits every evening for the star to rise in the sky. This star for her is daddy, who, as she says, is resting in heaven from hard earthly work. And Ivanka waits for the return of her dear daddy, not realizing that he is no longer here. Dima will forever remain in our memories and hearts. We love, mourn, and remember."