Donald R Lockhart

Friends, almost everyone in Ukraine knows about the heroic sacrifice of Vitaliy Skakun, who blew up a bridge at the cost of his own life to stop the Russian invaders. But why have so few people heard of Zakhar Kvasnyi and Roman Shymanskyi? Two Ukrainian soldiers who also sacrificed their lives by blowing up the Hostomel Bridge to prevent Russian forces from breaking through toward Kyiv. On February 25, 2022, Ukrainian combat engineers received an extremely dangerous mission: to destroy the Hostomel Bridge, which a Russian military convoy could use to advance toward Irpin and, from there, toward the capital. During those critical hours, every minute was precious, and the success of the operation could influence the course of Kyiv's defense. The explosives were successfully planted, but shortly afterward, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian soldiers. The unit was forced to retreat, but two combat engineers remained at the demolition control station: 22-year-old platoon commander Zakhar Kvasnyi and his 37-year-old comrade Roman Shymanskyi. They understood perfectly well how their decision could end. But instead of saving their own lives, they stayed behind to complete their mission. Then came the explosion. The Hostomel Bridge was destroyed, blocking the Russian column's route along that axis. The enemy could no longer use the crossing to advance toward Kyiv. But Zakhar and Roman never returned from that mission. Their fellow soldiers later discovered their mutilated bodies. It was not until March 6, 2022, that their families were able to identify the fallen defenders in one of Kyiv's morgues. And today, November 7, 2026, more than four and a half years after that terrible day, Zakhar Kvasnyi and Roman Shymanskyi have finally been posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, together with the Order of the Gold Star. Their names have never become as widely known as Vitaliy Skakun's. Yet these two defenders accomplished something no less important: they gave the most precious thing they had — their lives — to prevent Russian tanks from advancing unhindered toward Ukraine's capital. I sincerely hope that many more people will now learn about their extraordinary sacrifice. I also hope that a memorial plaque will finally be installed on the rebuilt Hostomel Bridge, bearing the names of Zakhar Kvasnyi and Roman Shymanskyi and telling the story of their final battle. Today, there is not even a mention of the men who died to stop the Russian advance on Kyiv. Eternal memory and glory to Zakhar Kvasnyi and Roman Shymanskyi! 🇺🇦 Heroes never die. P.S. I am moving from Twitter/X to Substack, where I will continue sharing stories of Ukraine's heroes, the truth about Russia's war, and my independent journalism. I invite everyone to follow me there and subscribe, either for free or as a paid supporter. mykhailorohoza.substack.com