Volodymyr I. Polupanov

Graduated from the Zoziv Vocational School. Served in the mandatory military service in the Starosambir district of Lviv region. Participated in multinational military exercises "Shield of Peace" involving Ukraine and NATO countries. He mastered the basics of military service well, performing shooting exercises with various weapons excellently. There was no free space for recording in his military ID. In the French Foreign Legion, he carried out peacekeeping missions in Yugoslavia, where he was wounded. After 3 years, he returned to Ukraine and got married. He had a natural talent for construction, so he went to work in the Czech Republic. On July 31, 2014, he volunteered, training took place in Mukachevo. At the cost of his own life, he saved a 20-year-old senior lieutenant. Sister: "Words cannot heal the terrible wound in the heart from the loss of my dear brother Volodymyr Polupanov, who died a year ago defending Ukraine. He clearly understood that every real man must stand up to defend his homeland in times of danger. He did not ponder whether he was going to perform a feat or march to his death. He forgot about death; he remembered life, the lives of children, relatives, acquaintances, ordinary people. 'Who, if not I?' — said Volodya. Thus, he was a volunteer in the 128th Transcarpathian Mountain Infantry Brigade (commander of the reconnaissance platoon), which was always at the forefront in the Donetsk region, most recently at the Debaltseve bulge. According to his brother, hot tea was a rarity. The first aid was provided by a soldier whose wife works as a veterinarian. In the area of the village of Nikishyne, there was only one surviving well, but it was under constant fire from enemy snipers. During the day, it was impossible to reach it. Many there fell not only soldiers but also civilians. So they fetched water by crawling at night, wearing camouflage suits. There was always a lack of equipment, fuel, which, along with keys and other necessary parts, the guys often bought with their own money. The wounded were also sent to the hospital only at night. One time, the scouts, noticing a column of the Russian army advancing towards Nikishyne, transmitted the coordinates to the brigade headquarters. Soon, the artillery began shelling, but not on target, but further away or to the side. The enemy column passed unharmed. Apparently, there were people in the headquarters interested in this. Brothers remember Volodya as a brave warrior who knew how to act in difficult combat situations. During one of the battles, the enemy cut off a group of brigade fighters (over 100 people). They asked the headquarters for artillery to create a 'corridor' with mortar fire through which they could exit. But suddenly all the mortars went out of order. It became clear: if they did not break out of the encirclement at night, the enemy would destroy them in the morning. Volodya told the guys to turn off the radios and mobile phones, promising that he would help them. And at midnight, the soldiers heard someone crawling. It was Vovchik (as his comrades called him). Without a single shot, a 'corridor' was made for the guys. Thus, they broke out of the encirclement. One day, returning home from the regional center, I heard a taxi driver's remark at the bus stop: 'These soldiers are so annoying! They want to be transported for free!' And this hurt the soul even deeper! Here, in peaceful life, everyone lives a normal life: they work, rest, sit on the internet, follow various world championships in warm and soft chairs and sofas, sit in bars sipping beer, while other guys give their lives for us, for our country. The war raging in the East concerns every Ukrainian. Today, everyone should ask themselves: what can I do? Yes, this does not mean that we all have to arm ourselves and go to the front, but everyone should be a volunteer. The current situation pushes us to rethink the problem of the spiritual and material. Yes, we live in a material world, but spiritual goods are more valuable because they are eternal. Peace and tranquility are the two most precious things that can exist today and in the future in our lives. All heroes believed that better times would come to the country. By their example, they proved that one can love the homeland not only with words but also with deeds. They were only 20-40 years old or 50; how much more good these guys could have done for their people! They loved selflessly. Eternal memory to the heroes! Let us remember the fallen, help the living! Always cherish your loved ones. After all, time flows very quickly, and life is unpredictable. Remember the good they do for you, and do not hold grudges in your heart. Speak warm words more often, warming their souls and hearts. Show that you love them and always remember them." A famous unknown hero. In a year of undeclared war in the East, Vinnytsia lost over 70 defenders — the best sons of Ukraine, those who, without sparing their lives, defended its independence and integrity. This war has already brought great irreparable grief to our large family for a month. Our brother, Volodymyr Ivanovych Polupanov, joined the ranks of the Heavenly Hundred. The news of his death struck our hearts like a heavy stone, the hearts of friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and simply concerned people. Why him? For what? Just six months ago, the family felt great pain from the loss of our father. A man of great stature, a model of dedication and tireless diligence. Stomach cancer took him to eternity at the age of 77, after several surgeries. Volodya resembled his father. This resemblance manifested not only externally but also in the inner composition of the soul. He was a wise and judicious person. Everything in him was calm, gentle, balanced — voice, gestures, smile. Interestingly, from the first days, Volodya refused breast milk. The decisive role in his life, especially in childhood and youth, was played by Lypovets, his hometown. The years were difficult, crisis-ridden, the standard of living for people in ordinary families was low, and we grew up in a large family. Every day after school, we ran not to clubs but to help mom on the farm. There, all the work was manual. We lived on our father's salary because my mother's was meager (40-80 rubles). We could still bring a jar of milk from the farm, some kilo of mash for the pig. Volodya was energetic, quick, and tidy in work. He managed to hunt rats that ran among the pigs on the farm. Above all, he loved sports, training with his younger brother to form a good athletic body, a strong physique. They led a healthy lifestyle: did not smoke, did not consume alcoholic beverages. He studied well at school. He was uncompromising towards others' insults and lies, could always stand up for himself, defended the weaker ones, even against older bullies. He dreamed of becoming a military man. So after finishing school, he went to Khmelnytskyi to enter a military school, but it was not meant to be… He became a tractor driver after graduating from the Zoziv Vocational School, where his oldest brother Mykhailo also studied. While studying there, Volodya distinguished himself with exceptional diligence and responsibility. Although later he said that this profession was not for him. Later, the strong and well-prepared brother was taken to serve in the airborne special forces unit in Lviv region. There, Volodya stood out for his exceptional shooting skills. Perhaps his previous 'hunting' helped. He returned from there as a sergeant. By that time, his parents were already pensioners. The youngest brother, Yuriy, lived with them, the elderly. The question arose: how and where to live next? For what? Dreams of a house, a garden, and a family did not give him peace, as he already had a beloved girl, Olena, who later became his wife after long waits. He could not find a job, and due to certain circumstances, he ended up in the French Foreign Legion. He carried out peacekeeping missions in Yugoslavia. There he was wounded in the leg. After 3 years, he returned to Ukraine, got married, bought a homestead with an old house and a large garden. Having a natural talent for construction, the young head of the family decided to build a new house. Therefore, he went abroad to earn money and later brought his wife to the Czech Republic. But there, the longing for Ukraine, for the native land did not give them peace. They were always drawn to where they could hear the unique song of birds, to where their family roots led them. Only true patriots could think this way. And they returned: finished building their home, had a son, Stanislav, bought a small tractor, helped neighbors cultivate their gardens, and kept livestock. They were always busy working. Last winter, when events unfolded in Crimea, Volodya, after visiting his father in the hospital, told us: 'If there is a war, we must go fight.' These words once again proved that our brother was a man of great courage and self-sacrifice, a high sense of civic duty. On July 4, he turned 38, and on July 31, he was called up to the army. He first went to Uzhhorod for training, then to Mukachevo. It was there that he received the news that his second son, Rodion, was born. For the young fighters, Volodya was a father, a mentor, teaching them everything. The soldiers of the 128th Transcarpathian Mountain Infantry Brigade became his brothers. They called him Vovchik. He served as the commander of the reconnaissance platoon. They were always the first at the front. His tactical skill, ability to act clearly and cohesively in a difficult combat situation distinguished him from other fighters. He felt responsible for the lives and health of other soldiers, especially the young ones. He often shielded his comrades from enemy bullets with his body. And he never boasted about it. After Epiphany, Volodya was granted a 10-day leave, during which he wanted above all to baptize his newborn son. How happy he was that this dream came true! Before his departure, everyone helped him gather the necessary items: students from Mykhailivska school drew pictures, made amulets, helped with medicines, and teachers and school staff contributed money. His brothers and sisters, neighbors, godparents, and just acquaintances made a significant contribution to this cause. How much we wanted him to return alive! Analyzing each day of his life, I can confidently say: he was preparing himself for a feat. And he accomplished it — at the cost of his own life, he saved a 20-year-old senior lieutenant. He became the pride of the family, the family, the town, Ukraine, a model of great courage and bravery, someone who, without sparing his life, bravely looked death in the eye. Volodya left this life from an enemy bullet in the full bloom of his strength, but with a sense of fulfilled duty to Ukraine. Evidence of all this is that a month after Volodya's death, his 16 comrades who survived Debaltseve visited his grave at the cemetery in Lypovets during the next ceasefire. We have no right to forget our defenders, our heroes. I am proud of my brother! By decree No. 108 for exceptional courage and heroism displayed in battles at the Debaltseve bridgehead, sergeant Volupanov Volodymyr Ivanovych was posthumously awarded the Order of 'For Courage' III degree. Today, we all must do everything to honor the bright memory of the fallen. Because we are those who did not have to hear the whistling of bullets and shells, artillery shelling. Let us not forget those who gave the most precious thing — their lives — for the salvation of their people, those who today protect our peace and sleep. Eternal memory to the heroes!"