An important event for the Pokrovsk community was the transfer of a memorial plaque to the relocated Pokrovsk Historical Museum dedicated to Nechypor Guba, a centurion of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Army (a native of the village of Hryshyne, now the city of Pokrovsk), which was saved by paratroopers of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade of Sichoslav.
There is little information about the fighters for Ukraine’s independence during the UNR era who were natives of Donetsk Oblast. However, thanks to historical researchers and the initiators of the memorial plaque installation in the then peaceful Pokrovsk, the narrative about the «Russification of Donbas» was once again refuted and another name of a hero from eastern Ukraine was revealed. The event dealt a powerful informational blow to anti-Ukrainian forces because it was installed on the building that housed the city headquarters of the Communist Party during the Soviet era. This was an act of historical justice.
The initiators of the memorial plaque installation in 2018 were Yuriy Kosenko, head of the Ukrainian Initiative NGO, and Maksym Potapchuk, head of the Liberi Liberati Cultural and Educational Foundation NGO. Today, the heads of public organizations are defending the country on the front lines not only with weapons, but also by preserving its historical and cultural heritage. Just as a hundred years ago, the soldiers of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Army fought for freedom and independence, so today the paratroopers of the 25th Brigade continue the work of their ancestors and defend Ukraine on its modern front lines.
The event has a deeply symbolic meaning and proves that even during the war, Ukrainians do not lose their ability to preserve their historical memory and remain faithful to their heroes and culture.
The memorial plaque to Nechyporo Guba is a symbol of the revival of historical memory, the strengthening of national and civic identity, and cooperation between the military and the public sector.