Vitalii Yu. Kupka

42-year-old police major Vitaliy Kupka (call sign Grandfather) died on May 27, 2024, during enemy artillery shelling in the area of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. Vitaliy was born in Kharkiv. He graduated from the Kharkiv National University of Civil Protection. He previously worked as a course manager, holding the rank of major in the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Since 2008, he lived with his family in Derhachi. Since 2015, he worked in the Kharkiv Patrol Police Department. In 2017, he underwent training at the Patrol Police Academy, and after an internship in the ATO/JFO zone, he began service in the ranks of the Kharkiv Oblast Patrol Police, holding the position of company inspector, then traffic safety inspector. In his free time, he loved to spend time with children and go on outings with his family. At the beginning of 2023, the man joined the ranks of the united assault brigade of the National Police "Fury". He held the position of senior company inspector. "My son was loving and caring. He took care of us, his parents, and his family. We miss him so much! The best son, father, husband. He cared about his subordinates. He was highly respected both in peacetime and during the war. He surrounded everyone with care, like a grandfather. And he was wise, like a grandfather," said Olena Kupka. The police officer was buried in the Alley of Glory of the Semensk cemetery in Derhachi. At home, Vitaliy was awaited by his parents, wife, son, and daughter. The defender was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.