At the Museum of the War, a commemorative event was held in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Denys Sakun, a serviceman of the 96th Kyiv Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a participant in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The event continues the museum project “Heroes of the War”, under which the museum team records testimonies from participants of the Russian-Ukrainian war and their families.
Denys Sakun was born on 1 December 1984 in Luhansk. He studied at the Luhansk Regional Lyceum with Enhanced Military-Physical Training and at the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University in Kharkiv. He served in the military, and after completing his contract, he was discharged. He worked in the IT sector and was successful.
From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while awaiting a call from the military commissariat if needed according to his specialty, he organized the evacuation of people from the Kyiv region, including the city of Hostomel. He provided assistance, evacuated people with young children, and rescued all living things from danger. After several months, Denys joined the Air Forces of the Kyiv Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. In 2023, having proven himself as a military professional, Denys Sakun was sent for training at Fort Sill (USA) to master the new Patriot missile system. He successfully completed the training and demonstrated significant results, notably showing a high level of expertise and knowledge, which impressed the American partners.
Upon returning, he was appointed Chief Engineer of a separate unit of the 96th Kyiv Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade and participated in repelling numerous enemy attacks on the capital. Under his leadership and personal involvement, more than 120 aerial targets were destroyed, and for the first time in world history, a Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” (Dagger) aeroballistic missile was shot down.
On 20 December 2024, during the repulsion of missile strikes, while saving equipment and machinery from fire, Lieutenant Colonel Denys Sakun heroically fell in action.
Opening the event, the Museum’s Director General Yuriy Savchuk emphasized the importance of the mission to preserve memory: "Honoring Heroes is an integral part of our struggle. It is through examples of their valor that the identity of the modern Ukrainian is formed and a strong foundation is laid for future generations."
The warmest and most heartfelt memories were shared with attendees by the Hero’s wife, Yana Sakun: "He won my heart with his love for animals. Denys participated in sled dog races and had three pets at home. He always approached everything with humor. We dreamed of creating our own home and even bought a house, but we never managed to finish building it…".
The Head of the Public Relations Department of the Air Force Command – Deputy Head of the Communications Directorate, Colonel Liubov Kynal, noted that Denys Sakun and his comrades embodied the indomitability of the Ukrainian nation. The memory of Denys will live forever in our recollections and in our hearts, as well as in the documentary film we made about him.
The atmosphere of camaraderie at the event was reinforced by the presence of those with whom Denys shared the hardships of service and the joys following the first downing of enemy missiles. The soldiers remembered Denys as an exceptional professional who could “make iron work at the impossible edge” during intense combined enemy attacks. To his colleagues, he was not merely a commander or engineer, but a person whose calm and confidence during combat shifts supported the entire unit.
Lieutenant Colonel Sakun’s selfless service was recognized with high state and departmental awards. During his lifetime, he was awarded the Order “For Courage”, 3rd class, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine badge “Silver Cross”, and the “Exemplary Service” badge.
For his sacrificial feat for Ukraine, Denys Sakun was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class, and the “Combatant’s Cross”. The Hero was also posthumously granted the title of Honorary Citizen of the city of Irpin.
The event was attended by students and teachers from Kyiv Lyceum № 227, for whom Denys’ life story became a lesson in true patriotism.
His memory will live not only in his family and among his comrades but in every successful launch of Ukrainian missiles that protect our skies.
Glory to Ukraine! Eternal memory to the Hero!
