Kaplunenko Ihor V (Starshyna)

Senior Lieutenant of the Tank Forces Anatoliy Martynyuk published a touching epitaph on Facebook for his fallen comrades, most of whom he knew personally, having previously commanded this unit. “Farewell to my brothers” “My dear third platoon… We first met in Novyi Petrivtsi – so different, but with one goal – and we truly bonded at checkpoint number 7 near Slovyansk. I still can't believe that many of my guys are no longer with us, and so many are wounded… Ihor Kaplunenko (call sign “Starshina”) from Bila Tserkva. You were one of a kind, wise and courageous. You always looked so young and energetic, that I was surprised to learn you already had a granddaughter. Your family loved you dearly and always worried about you: your daughter often called me to ask if you were alright, when Russian militants jammed phone communication during shelling, and I tried to reassure her. You were deeply concerned that the gains of the Maidan would not be thrown to the wayside of history, you strived to change our country and did everything for it. You have no idea how much I respected you: you were a Man with a capital M, it was always interesting to talk to you, I would go on reconnaissance with you without hesitation…”