The Kyiv City Council has renamed Chervona Street in the Solomyanskyi District in honor of Vasyl Kopan (“Neznaika”), a fallen defender of Mariupol and member of the Azov Battalion.
Vasyl Kopan was a lieutenant colonel and commander of the reconnaissance unit of the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine. Born in Mariupol, he joined the brigade at the age of 18.
In “Azov,” he rose through the ranks over a ten-year period, from soldier to lieutenant colonel. Vasyl Kopan participated in all of the unit’s combat campaigns. He also proved himself a talented commander during the defense of Mariupol and endured enemy captivity with dignity.
After his release from captivity, “Neznaika” led the special operations reconnaissance unit and personally led his comrades into battle during the most difficult operations.
Vasyl Kopan was killed while carrying out a combat mission in the Toretsk area on September 8, 2024.
In January 2025, the President of Ukraine posthumously awarded him the title of Hero of Ukraine.
Based on materials from the Mariupol City Council