Dmytro V. Popchenko (Ember)

Lieutenant Dmytro Popchenko (call sign Ember) was killed on June 6, 2023 near the settlement of Opytne in the Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he came under mortar fire. Seeing his wounded comrade, he immediately rushed to rescue him. At that moment, he received fatal injuries. The defender was only 25 years old. Dmytro was born and lived his whole life in the settlement of Oleksandrivka, Donetsk region. In 2020, he graduated from the Donbas State Machine-Building Academy. He then continued his studies at the Department of Military Training of Sumy State University, where he received the rank of lieutenant. From a very young age, he loved sports, played football, volleyball, tennis, trained on bars, and participated in all competitions, winning prizes. He also loved computer games. Since October 2022, he has been serving in military unit A4862, and in April 2023 he joined the 425th Separate Assault Battalion "Skelia". He held the position of officer-psychologist. He received his call sign in honor of a character from his favorite computer game "Dota 2", because he was just as agile and elusive, quickly attacking all enemies. "I did not want such a fate for my son, but I thank God that I had him, even if for a very short time. Time has passed since his death, but I am still waiting for him. He is alive for me. He lives in my heart and will live forever," said the mother of the fallen Natalia. "You have been gone for so long, but we continue to live. Live without you, cry from grief and smile, remembering the moments associated with you, because you were a real, kind and honest person, without hypocrisy and falsehood. You could always listen and support, and you were a true patriot, you had a clear position even before the full-scale invasion and proved not only with words, but also at the cost of your life, that you are ready to do anything for the independence of our country. We will never forget, we will never forgive this," added his friends. Dmytro was buried in his native village. He is survived by his father Volodymyr, mother Natalia, older sister Yulia, relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms.