Dmytro Yu. Lapochkin

Senior sailor Dmytro Lapochkin (call sign Lapa) died on November 10, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission to destroy the occupiers on the left bank of the Dnipro River, in the area of the village of Virivka, Kherson region. The marine was 30 years old. Dmytro was from Odesa. He graduated from the Odesa Lyceum of Construction and Architecture, where he obtained the profession of painter, plasterer, and tiler. He dedicated a significant part of his life to military service. In 2013, he was drafted for regular service, then signed a contract with the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade, serving in the tank battalion. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation. In 2017, as part of the best tank platoon, he represented Ukraine at the international tank competition "Strong Europe Tank Challenge". After that, he was demobilized and until the beginning of the full-scale invasion was a private entrepreneur. He was passionate about airsoft, fishing, and cooking. On February 25, 2022, the man returned to service and began defending his homeland. He fought in the ranks of the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradskyy. He was the gunner of a tank in the tank battalion. For his worthy service, the soldier was awarded the distinctions "For Exemplary Military Service" of the III degree, "Steel Cross", "Golden Cross", "For Military Valor", and "For Wound". "Dmytro always tried to be strong, overcame difficulties, learned, and explored this world, and gave everyone his wonderful smile. Everything revolved around him. He had wonderful plans and dreams for the future. Shortly before the full-scale invasion, he got married. He dreamed of children and a good family. He aspired to success in business. Dima was very loud, and his comrades-in-arms jokingly called him 'Microphone'. He loved technology and knew the structure of the tank perfectly. He gladly helped his comrades-in-arms with repairs and brought his combat vehicle to perfection himself. He loved his homeland and wanted to live only in his country, so without hesitation, he stood up to defend it. He selflessly and bravely carried out his duties to destroy the enemy in the Kherson and Donetsk directions. After a severe wound and recovery, he returned to the ranks, because he proudly wore the beret of a marine and could not do otherwise," his mother Olha Viktorivna said. The marine was buried at the Western Cemetery in Odesa. He is survived by his parents, brother, and wife. Dmytro's memory was honored on the Alley of Heroes, in Shevchenko Park, and on the memorial stand on Pasteur Street in Odesa.