On September 20, at the cultural and patriotic event “We Will Never Forget!” held at the Transcarpathian Regional Museum of Local Lore named after Tivodar Lehotskyi, serviceman Andriy Akimov, currently serving at the Transcarpathian Regional Military Commissariat, shared the story of the fallen hero Denys Kofel. Denys, who would have turned 23 that day, was honored during the event.
“Denys grew up before my eyes. From childhood, he dreamed of becoming a soldier, studied at the Mukachevo Military Lyceum, and at 18, he became a paratrooper of the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade. He dreamed of becoming an officer. From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he fought alongside his brigade. He went through battles in Bucha and Hostomel. In May 2022, Denys was killed during a combat mission in the Bakhmut direction,” Akimov said.
The event was dedicated to Ukraine’s Defenders’ Day, celebrated on October 1. The museum staff emphasized the importance of historical memory during the current war as a key factor in preserving the truth for future generations.
Mykhailo Lesiv, senior research fellow at the museum, stressed the role of historical memory in maintaining national identity.
Andriy Akimov also noted that the younger generation of Ukrainians had lost much due to a lack of interest in their history, which allowed for manipulation by the aggressor. He called for preserving the truth about the current war and the fallen heroes, emphasizing that this memory is essential for the nation’s survival.
