HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who was Valeriy Chybineiev? 'Hero' Ukraine military commander killed on 34th birthday

Valeriy Chybineiev is a recipient of the 'Hero of Ukraine' award, known for being the highest honor granted to citizens by the president

One of the youngest military commanders of Ukraine was killed by Russian forces in the ongoing war on his 34th birthday. Valeriy Chybineiev died near the city of Hostomel, on the outskirts of Kyiv, on March 3. 

As Russian forces continue to gun down members of the armed forces and civilians, Ukrainian defense forces have reportedly killed Russian Maj Gen Andrei Sukhovetsky in a major blow to Russia. The Kremlin-backed Pravda has confirmed that Sukhovetsky was killed "during a special operation in Ukraine". Talking about his death, former CIA officer and station chief Dan Hoffman said, "If it’s true, it’s big."

READ MORE

Is Putin winning the war? Expert says YES despite 'hundreds' of Russian troops killed

ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN: Elite unit of Chechen assassins hunting Zelenskyy has been 'eliminated'

Who was Valeriy Chybineiev?

Valeriy Chybineiev is a recipient of the 'Hero of Ukraine' award, known for being the highest honor granted to citizens by the president for “personal heroism and great labor achievements.” Introduced in 1998, there have been only 509 recipients of the award, including Olympic athletes, scientists, and the military. 

Chybineiev was inducted into the order back in 2016. He received a gold star medal the same year. His brother Roman was also a member of the country’s armed forces and lost his life in battle in 2019.

Russian troops have been mercilessly killing civilians. Over 300 civilians have already been killed in Ukraine, the country's health ministry has said. Over 1,000 people, including more than 100 children, have been wounded. Authorities have reportedly been handing out weapons to anyone who wishes to defend the city. 

A Ukrainian woman was gunned down just outside Kyiv while she was on her way back from a dog shelter where she went to deliver food. According to Anastasiia Yalanskaya’s family and friends, Russian troops may have deliberately targeted her vehicle at close-range. Riddled with bullets, Yalanskaya’s car was found near the house of a man she was volunteering with.

In another instance, a Ukrainian cop's family, including his six-year-old daughter and his newborn baby, were shot dead by Russian troops as the cop's brother heard it all on a phone call. The 30-year-old policeman, Oleg Fedko, was working in the Kherson region when his partner and his parents picked up his kids to ensure they were safe. The brothers' 56-year-old parents, and the cop's partner Irina, 27, were killed. Their two kids, baby Ivan and six-year-old Sofia, were also slaughtered. 

Just days ago, a Ukrainian schoolgirl was gunned down by Russian saboteurs in her family car alongside her parents, local reports have claimed. Polina was a 4th-grade girl from Kyiv and was with her family and two siblings in their car when it came under fire from a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group.