Senior Sergeant Mykhailo Popov, Call Sign “Brat,” Was Killed in Mariupol
Senior Sergeant Mykhailo Popov, known by the call sign “Brat,” was killed on May 8, 2022, in Mariupol. While he was on the territory of the Azovstal plant, Russian occupiers dropped a bunker-buster bomb there. Many people were killed in the bunker that day, including Mykhailo. He did not live to see his 24th birthday by just one week.
Mykhailo was born in the village of Urzuf in Mariupol district. After graduating from school, he enrolled in the Mariupol Maritime Lyceum. He dreamed of becoming a sailor. However, in 2017, he decided to join the ranks of Ukraine’s defenders. He became a fighter of the Azov Separate Special Purpose Detachment, military unit 3057, where he served as a sniper. He was a Master of Sports in judo and Greco-Roman wrestling. He dreamed of having a family and children.
When the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, Mykhailo went to defend Mariupol. Together with his brothers-in-arms, he courageously held the defense of the city.
“We were very close, told each other many things, shared our secrets. He was always smiling, and it was rare for anyone to see him in a bad mood. He was always ready to help everyone — strong, brave, kind, cheerful, fair. He had so many wonderful qualities. He had many friends and never had trouble communicating with people. When the full-scale invasion started, he went to defend Mariupol. Even then, he sent me videos with a smile, reassuring me that everything would be fine, that we would definitely win and see each other soon. He didn’t contact me often, maybe once every three days, because he worked a lot. I sent him our old photos just to support him somehow. He broke his phone and contacted me even less frequently, using the phone of our mutual friend, who was also at Azovstal and died with him in the same bunker. I miss him so much. He often appears in my dreams — those dreams are all I have left. Memories, dreams, and photographs…” wrote his sister, Iryna Bozhko.
“My son had many friends. Misha was very kind and loved life. He had many plans. He dreamed of getting married and raising a son…” said Nadiia Boiko.
Mykhailo was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” II degree.
The warrior is survived by his mother, brothers, sisters, grandparents, other relatives, friends, and brothers-in-arms.
At 9:00 a.m. — the nationwide minute of silence. Donetsk Regional State Administration and the Memorial platform honoring fallen heroes remember the defenders from Donetsk region killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.