Sokal region has once again received tragic news. Yaroslav Yaroslavovych Kapustyak, a resident of the village of Leshkiv in Sheptytskyi district, Lviv region, was killed while defending Ukraine.
Yaroslav Kapustyak was born on January 26, 1982, in the village of Leshkiv. In 1989, he graduated from the Leshkiv eight-year school and later continued his studies in the town of Uhniv, where he trained as an auto mechanic.
In 2000, Yaroslav was called up for military service in the city of Brody. After completing his service, he worked in various fields. During the final years of his life, he was employed in farm work.
How Yaroslav is remembered in his native village
Local residents remember Yaroslav as a kind, sincere, open-hearted and quick-witted person. He easily found common ground with others, enjoyed communicating with people and always had a kind word for those around him.
Yaroslav loved singing and dancing. He knew how to enjoy life and share his positive energy with others. His relatives and friends remember him as a cheerful, caring and warm-hearted man.
Military service in defense of Ukraine
On March 8, 2024, Yaroslav Kapustyak was called up for military service to defend Ukraine. He underwent military training in the village of Mala Liubasha, Rivne region.
After completing his training, Yaroslav served in military unit A7400 as a machine gunner.
Key dates in his military service:
- March 8, 2024 — called up for military service;
- underwent training in Mala Liubasha, Rivne region;
- served as a machine gunner in military unit A7400;
- April 19, 2024 — his family had their last contact with him;
- May 1, 2024 — killed in the city of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, while defending Ukraine.
After contact with Yaroslav was lost, his relatives never stopped searching for him. His cousin Halyna spent a long time trying to establish his whereabouts, contacting the relevant authorities and doing everything possible to learn what had happened to him.
His family continued to hope and believe that Yaroslav would return home. Later, his identity was confirmed through DNA testing.
Yaroslav’s final words to his cousin
Their final conversation will forever remain especially meaningful to his cousin Halyna. During that conversation, Yaroslav asked her:
“Sister, do you love me? Will you look for me?”
He then asked Halyna to make sure she called his mother, repeating the request three times. At that moment, no one could have known how significant and painful those words would later become.
His family fulfilled his request. They searched for him, waited for news and held on to hope until the very end.
Above all, Yaroslav loved his mother, for whom he remained a dearly beloved son. She faced an unimaginable tragedy — having to bury three of her sons.
Yaroslav Kapustyak will forever remain in the memory of his family, friends, fellow villagers and brothers-in-arms as a sincere, kind, sociable, quick-witted and cheerful man.
His life ended far too soon, but the memory of the defender and the love people had for him will remain in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Eternal memory and eternal glory to the Hero of Ukraine!