Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin (C-L) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-R) attend the funeral of Ukrainian serviceman Dmytro Kotsiubailo, at the Saint Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, 10 March 2023, amid the Russian invasion. Commander Dmytro Kotsiubailo, call sign Da Vinci, Hero of Ukraine, of the 67th brigade was killed in action on the frontline in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on 07 March 2023. EFE/EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK
Finnish PM Marin, Zelenskyy honor fallen ‘hero’ of Bakhmut
Kyiv, Mar 10 (EFE).- Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended a funeral in Kyiv for Dmytro Kotsiubailo, a Ukrainian volunteer who died in the battle of Bakhmut.
Mourners attend the funeral of Ukrainian serviceman Dmytro Kotsiubailo at Maidan Nezhalezhnosti Square in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, 10 March 2023. Commander Dmytro Kotsiubailo of the 67th brigade, call sign Da Vinci and awarded the title “Hero of Ukraine”, was killed in action on the frontline in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on 07 March 2023. EFE/EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK
Accompanied by the Ukrainian president, Marin offered condolences to the family of the young man, who joined the army in 2014 to defend Ukraine from Moscow-backed separatists in the east of the country, and laid a bouquet of flowers next to his coffin at St. Michael’s Monastery of the Golden Domes in central Kyiv.
The Finnish prime minister also honored the memory of the thousands of soldiers, police officers and volunteers who have died since 2014 defending Ukrainian territory against separatist militias and the Russian army.
Mourners kneel during the funeral ceremony for Ukrainian serviceman Dmytro Kotsiubailo in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, 10 March 2023. Commander Dmytro Kotsiubailo of the 67th brigade, call sign Da Vinci and awarded the title “Hero of Ukraine”, was killed in action on the frontline in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on 07 March 2023. EFE/EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK
Marin has been one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine’s cause on the international stage.
To mark her visit to Kyiv, the Finnish government announced a humanitarian aid package of 29 million euros ($31 million) that will serve to strengthen the health and education systems of the invaded country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) attends the funeral of Ukrainian serviceman Dmytro Kotsiubailo, at the Saint Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, 10 March 2023, amid the Russian invasion. Commander Dmytro Kotsiubailo, call sign Da Vinci, Hero of Ukraine, of the 67th brigade was killed in action on the frontline in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on 07 March 2023. EFE/EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK
The young fighter honored by Marin died on March 7 on the outskirts of the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, which has been besieged by Russian forces for weeks.
“Da Vinci”, as he was nicknamed, was very popular among Ukrainians and was remembered by Zelenskyy in his daily address to the nation on the day of his death.
Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin (L) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) pose for a photo during a joint press conference following their meeting in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, 10 March 2023. Marin arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukraine’s top officials amid the ongoing Russian invasion. EFE/EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO
“One of those young heroes of Ukraine whose personal story, character and courage have forever become the character and courage of Ukraine,” said Zelenskyy, pointing out that “Da Vinci” had fought for the country’s “independence and dignity” since 2014.
After the church service, thousands of Ukrainian citizens paid their last farewell to him in the Independence Square in central Kyiv. EFE
