Vasily “Unknown” Kopan is a fan of the football club “Metalurg” (Mariupol), a representative of the team “Youth”.

Vasily Yurievich Kopan was born on November 13, 1995 in the city of Mariupol (Donetsk region). He studied at the school No. 2 of his native city, after which he entered the Mariupol Electromechanical Professional College.He received his higher education at the Luhansk National Agrarian University. Kharkov. He loved sports, in addition to classic football, he was also fond of American football, played in the Azov Dolphins team.

Vasily came to the sector of the Mariupol “Metalurg” in 2011. Supported his hometown club both at home matches and away matches. As part of the team “Youth” took part in football promotions.

At the time of the Revolution of Dignity and the beginning of the war in Eastern Ukraine, he was 18 years old. In 2014, he joined the then Azov regiment. He took part in the Shirokin operation, the battles in Maryinka, the defense of the Svitlodar arc.

At the end of 2014, while in a hospital in Mariupol, he met his future wife Anastasia, who volunteered at the same hospital. In 2019, the couple married, and in another year they had a son, Mikhail.

Vasily met a full-scale invasion of the enemy in Mariupol, as part of his native unit. After the death of the previous commander, he took over the command of the special purpose group “Azov”. Heavy fighting took place in the surrounded city, broke into the territory of the Azovstal plant. Under the command of “Unknown”, raids of deep reconnaissance, sabotage and special operations were carried out. On May 20, 2022, by order of the Supreme Commander, he was captured.

As a result of the exchange, on September 21, 2022, he returned to Ukraine. After a short rehabilitation, he became fit.

In the summer of 2023, he took part in the offensive actions in the Zaporizhzhya area. From August 2023 - until August 2024 he took part in the battles in the Serebryansk forestry. Despite the rank of lieutenant colonel and the position of commander of the reconnaissance company of the 12th Brigade “Azov” of the NGU, he performed combat tasks side by side with his fighters. During the execution of one of them, he was injured, after a short treatment he quickly returned to health.

According to the memories of the brothers, “Unknown” was a model soldier and commander. Starting his way as an ordinary soldier, he reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. He devoted all his time to war and the improvement of skills and knowledge. Many associated with him the future command of the brigade.

During the years of service, he was awarded many awards and honors, including: Order “For Courage” III degree, Order of “Bogdan Khmelnytsky” III degree, breast badge “Silver Cross”.

Vasily Kopan died on September 8, 2024 while performing a combat mission in the area of the village. Leonidovka (Donetsk region). On January 20, 2025, Vasily Kopanya was awarded the title of “Hero of Ukraine” with the award of the Order “Golden Star” (posthumously).

Eternal glory to the Hero!

‍