Mykola R. Stepaniuk (Simba)

Police officer Mykola Stepaniuk (call sign Simba) died on August 8, 2024 in the hospital from injuries sustained three days earlier while performing a combat mission in the Pokrovsk direction. The defender was 26 years old. Mykola was born in the village of Velyki Kutishcha, Vinnytsia region. Three years later, he moved with his family to the village of Molotkovtsi. He studied at the National Academy of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Later, he worked as an operative officer in the city of Kozelets, Vinnytsia region. He was fond of sports, played football, weightlifting and tourism. During the full-scale war, the man continued to protect Ukrainians, loved ones and the country in the ranks of the National Police of Ukraine. At the front, he fought as part of the joint assault brigade "Fury". He was a mortar man. "Mykola was the best person in my life. Always positive, able to cheer up in a difficult moment, sociable, open to communication. Everyone who knew him said that Mykola was a person for people, because he always helped everyone," said his sister Anastasia. The warrior was buried in the village of Bezimenne, Vinnytsia region. Mykola left behind his parents, sister, wife and a son who was 3 years old at the time of his father's death.