Ukrainian soldiers commemorate commander Dmytro "Da Vinci" Kotsiubailo during oath-taking ceremony

Описание: (7 Mar 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyiv, Ukraine - 7 March 2026
1. Various of soldiers of Ukraine's Separate Mechanised Battalion "Da Vinci Wolves" in honour guard at tomb of Dmytro Kotsiubailo during oath-taking ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Oleksii Makhrinskyi, deputy commander of "Da Vinci Wolves" Battalion:
"In our direction, the situation is consistently difficult, very difficult, and this is always the main direction of attack. We have been on this front for more than two years, but in principle we are holding on to our area. In 9 months we have not lost a single position, so we feel the enemy is pressing now, but the situation in our area is now stabilized."
3. Various of batallion
4. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Alina Mikhailova, commander of the 'Ulf' Medical Service of the “Da Vinci Wolves” Battalion:
"Today, there are very few such landmarks and meanings, and in the information space. Therefore, my task, the task of the unit, our command, is to give some simple everyday things to find meanings and understanding to fighters why they go to positions, and why they have been standing today for the fifth year. Because in reality, it is not people who lose motivation, people lose strength and some understanding of when it will all end. And such measures, in my opinion, are a kind of brick in the general perception of fighters where they are and why."
5. Statue
6. Wide of ceremony
7. Wide of statue
STORYLINE:
Soldiers of Ukraine's Separate Mechanised Battalion "Da Vinci Wolves" on Saturday commemorated their commander Dmytro Kotsiubailo, callsign Da Vinci, who was killed in action three years ago.

Soldiers gathered on the grave of Kotsiubailo singing the national anthem during an oath-taking ceremony for new recruits.

A priest blessed the weapons of recruits and they bowed to the flag near the monument of Kotsiubailo.

Kotsiubailo was actively involved in the Revolution of Dignity from the very beginning.

At the age of 18, he went to defend Ukraine from Russia in 2014 as a volunteer.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded him with the title of Hero of Ukraine.

He became the youngest commander and the first volunteer to receive this title during his lifetime.

On March 7, 2023, Dmytro Kotsiubailo died as a result of a shrapnel wound to the neck during a combat mission near Bakhmut.

"Today we will witness the continuation of the life and struggle of the commander and his entire life. Because he devoted absolutely all of his youth, absolutely all of his life to ensuring that Ukraine was free and independent. And each of you today is a continuation of this struggle", said commander of the 'Ulf' Medical Service of the “Da Vinci Wolves” Battalion and widow of Dmytro Kotsiubailo, Alina Mikhailova during the ceremony.

The “Da Vinci Wolves” Battalion is now fighting in Dnipropetrovsk region where is now one of the hottest frontline.

The situation is difficult but battalion is holding their positions, said deputy commander of the battalion Oleksii Makhrinskyi.

He said they haven't noted any changes since the war in Iran began but they have worries.

"We feel that the focus of world attention has shifted quite significantly from Ukraine. Accordingly, this worries us very much", said Makhrinskyi.

Makhrinskyi said that they are ready to help allies with their expertise on fighting with drones.

AP Video shot by Vasilisa Stepanenko

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