STEPANENKO Vladyslav Oleksiiovych (20. 12. 2002, Zaporizhzhia — 21. 02. 2025, Shevchenko settlement, Volnovakha Raion, Donetsk Oblast, buried at the Matviivske cemetery in his native city) —  decorated military figure. Soldier. Hero of Ukraine (2025, posthumously). Graduated from Zaporizhzhia Gymnasium No. 107 and the National University “Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic” (specialty “journalism”). In 2021, he participated in the Joint Forces Operation in Eastern Ukraine. After the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by RF troops (February 24, 2022), he continued to defend its territorial integrity. Served in the 23rd Separate Brigade for Public Order Protection “Khortytsia” of the National Guard of Ukraine: rifleman, sapper, from April 2024 — aviation mechanic-sapper of a special purpose strike unmanned aerial vehicle company. Performed combat missions in the hottest directions, in particular near the settlement of Stepnohirsk and the village of Kamianske, Vasylivka Raion, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and the village of Staromaiorske, Volnovakha Raion. In May 2024, near the village of Mala Tokmachka, Polohy Raion, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, he professionally equipped drones, which destroyed 2 “Ural” trucks and a significant number of enemy personnel. Subsequently, while fighting in the Nikopol direction, he hit an enemy “Leer-2” electronic warfare complex near the Zaporizhzhia NPP and a “Murom-M” video surveillance complex. In October 2024, thanks to his accurate strike, a “Grad” rocket system that was planning to start shelling was destroyed. In January 2025, near the settlement of Shevchenko, finding himself semi-encircled, he held the defense alone for 4 days in freezing temperatures, destroying over 17 occupiers and several units of equipment, after which he was able to reach his own forces. On February 21, 2025, together with his brothers-in-arms, he held positions that the enemy was storming with superior forces. On the same day, he died as a result of enemy artillery and mortar shelling.