Lieutenant Colonel Vasyl Kopan, known by the call sign “Neznaika,” fell on 8 September 2024 near the village of Leonidivka in the Bakhmut district of Donetsk Oblast. He and his comrades engaged the enemy in battle but came under heavy artillery fire. The wounds he sustained proved fatal. He was 28 years old.
Vasyl was born on 13 November 1995 in Mariupol. After finishing school, he studied at the Mariupol Electromechanical Vocational College. From a young age, sport shaped his character—particularly American football. He played for the Mariupol team “Azov Dolphins,” where he developed not only physical endurance but also teamwork, discipline, and quick decision-making—qualities that would later define him on the battlefield.
In September 2014, immediately after completing his studies, he joined the Azov unit. Like many volunteers, he had no formal military training, yet he steadily honed his skills and strived to be as effective as possible in his unit. He rose through the ranks from soldier to lieutenant colonel. He participated in the Shyrokyne operation, fought in Mariinka, and spent long periods defending positions along the Svitlodarsk arc.
A particular ambition of his was service in reconnaissance. He passed a rigorous selection process and later became part of an intelligence unit. Over time, he assumed command positions, including leading a special operations group following the death of its commander.
During the full-scale invasion, Vasyl took part in the defense of Mariupol and the battles at Azovstal. Under his command, deep reconnaissance raids, sabotage missions, and special operations behind enemy lines were carried out. In May 2022, by order of the Commander-in-Chief, he and his comrades were captured, and in September of the same year, he was released in a prisoner exchange.
After rehabilitation, he returned to service. In January 2023, he became the commander of the reconnaissance company of the 12th Special Purpose Brigade “Azov.” He participated in counteroffensive operations in the Orikhiv direction, as well as combat actions in the Serebriansky Forest. Throughout 2023–2024, he planned and executed offensive operations that reclaimed over 5 km² of Ukrainian territory, inflicted heavy casualties on the occupiers, captured prisoners, and destroyed enemy equipment.
Vasyl’s personal life was closely tied to Mariupol. In 2014, he met his future wife, Anastasia, who volunteered in a hospital. They married in 2019 and later had a son. Just days before the full-scale invasion, he evacuated his family from the city and returned to defend Mariupol.
For his service, Vasyl Kopan was awarded the Order for Courage, 3rd Class; the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class; and the Silver Cross badge. On 20 January 2025, he was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Gold Star, presented to his family by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Farewell ceremonies for Vasyl Kopan took place on 13 September 2024 at the Kyiv Crematorium.
Eternal memory to the hero.