Volodymyr V. Krupa (Vamp)

41-year-old Junior Sergeant Volodymyr Krupa (call sign Vamp) was killed on February 12, 2024 near the village of Stepove in the Donetsk region. When the soldiers were retreating from the position, his comrade was wounded. Vamp called for evacuation and provided assistance to the wounded. But an enemy drone dropped a shell on them. Volodymyr shielded his comrade and saved his life at the cost of his own. The man was from Kyiv. He graduated from school No. 20 there and the Open International University of Human Development "Ukraine" with a degree in "Social Work". He worked in various fields: sold bicycles and cars, was a driver, had his own business (kiosks, cafes), worked at a car service station on his own. He loved tourism and camping. He adored traveling, playing the guitar, and writing poetry. He worked abroad before the full-scale invasion. He transported goods around Europe by truck. And he was very passionate about his work, as he saw many interesting things. But from February 24, 2022, Volodymyr volunteered to defend his native capital. At first, he was in the 129th battalion of the 112th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After 5 months, he was transferred to the 47th separate mechanized brigade "Magura". He served in the reconnaissance company, was a platoon commander. "My beloved husband was a positive person, the soul of the company, an example for others. He never feared difficulties, always said that everything can be solved. He saw a lot in life, because life was hard and not sweet. An orphan since childhood, he spent a lot of time on the street. As an adult, he was a volunteer in a circle for disabled children, worked in social services, and was involved in tourism. He was the leader of the scout organization "Red Sails", a counselor in the children's camp "Litogray" in Crimea. He always remained a decent, polite person. He was very caring towards me. Before going to the combat positions, he sent me his photos in a bulletproof vest and said: 'Everyone in armor has their own icon, mine is you.' While at the position, he transmitted through his comrades-in-arms how much he loved me. He collected flowers by hand and sent them by 'Nova Poshta' (I loved the flowers he collected). On leave, my beloved cooked only for me, he just got pleasure from this. And he cooked very deliciously. And he told me not to interfere, so I sat and admired him. And in the morning, he adored the fragrant coffee I brewed in a copper cezve and his favorite hot pancakes or pancakes. When it was time to return to that hell, he wrote romantic notes and poems that he himself composed and attached to the refrigerator. We were supposed to get married after Easter, we had already agreed, but... Our shared tattoos under the heart will always remind us of our crazy love. We dreamed of becoming parents, we even chose names, and here we are waiting for the replenishment. Our child will definitely know that our father is a hero, a true warrior. I thank him and am proud that he chose me to be his wife. I still brew coffee for two in the morning... Unfortunately, I lost more than a husband..." Volodymyr was buried in the Alley of Heroes of the Forest Cemetery in Kyiv. He left behind a pregnant wife and a daughter from his first marriage.