Denis Prokopenko

He joined the Azov Battalion in July 2014 as an anti-tank rifleman, fighting in Marinka and Ilovaysk. In 2015, he led the 1st company in liberating Shyrokyne, earning recognition for his leadership. By 2017, he had become the commander of the Azov Regiment, making him the youngest commander in the history of the National Guard and Armed Forces. He played a key role in transforming Azov from a volunteer unit into a professional combat force. In 2022, he led the defense of Mariupol before surrendering to Russian forces. After 124 days in captivity, he returned to Ukraine in 2023.