Biography of Denis Antipov

Denys Antipov (pseudonym "Buk") was born on June 30, 1989 in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk. He was baptized by priest Roman Kyiak. The family moved from Ivano-Frankivsk to Kyiv in 1994.

Cousin grandfathers fought in the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, their pseudonyms were "Oak" and "Leaf". Therefore, continuing the family tradition, Denys chose the pseudonym "Buk".
In 1996-2002 he studied at the secondary school №11 in Kyiv. From 2002 to 2006 he studied at the gymnasium №136 in Kyiv, which he graduated with a gold medal. From school years he took an active part in the socio-political life of Ukraine, public actions and protests in defense of the Ukrainian language, national remembrance and identity.

Denys had a brilliant knowledge of foreign languages, so in 2006 he entered the Taras Shevchenko National University and began studying at the Department of Languages and Literatures of the Far East and Southeast Asia Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology. He has completed a language internship in South Korea twice - in 2008 at Seoul National University and in 2011 at the Korean University of Foreign Languages. In 2010 he had graduated from the Military institute of Taras Shevchenko National University and received the rank of reserve officer.

In 2011-12, Denys worked in the service department of “Samsung” company, as a translator participated in various government events with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ukraine, participated in the launch of high-speed trains class "Intercity +" working as a translator for Korean engineers.

In 2012 he received a diploma in "Language and Literature and Translation (Korean, English)" and received a master's degree in philology, teacher-researcher of Korean and English languages and foreign literature, translator of Korean and English. He worked on his PhD thesis on "Linguo-pragmatic features of the professional language of electronics on the material of the Korean language." Denys’ scientific supervisor was Taras Kyiak. Denys worked as an assistant at the Department of Languages and Literatures of the Far East and Southeast Asia of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology.

 In 2012, he took an active part in the language Maidan - protests against russification and giving Russian the status of a regional language. In 2013-14, from the first days of the protests, he was a participant of the Revolution of Dignity (Euromaidan). He was one of those who in February 2014 aptly fired a Molotov cocktail at the armoured police personnel carrier on Independence Square. Also in February 2014, Denys and his colleagues demolished a monument to communist Soviet criminal Dmytro Manuilsky in the central part of Kyiv.

Denys always had a sincere smile, was a wonderful, educated and witty interlocutor. Denys was extremely clever, magically able to attract and gather around him the same bright people as him, everyone respected Denys for his healthy patriotism and responsibility. He had many hobbies and always tried to discover something new. He loved the sky and everything related to the aviation. He loved music and played various instruments. He loved the history of Ukraine, in particular the struggle for the Ukrainian Independence in XX century, and using all instruments all his life he share the truth about the struggle of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic and other military formations. Not in words, but in deeds - he visited and supported veterans of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

In particular, Denys Antipov was the founder and administrator of the page "Restaurant car “Witnesses of the Fifth Universal" - very famous page in Facebook, Instagram, Telegram with totally 11000 followers. On this page he posted creative funny memes about history, politics and world news.

Volunteer

With the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, Denys went to the military commissariat office to join the Armed Forces on volunteer basis, although he had a protection not to go to the army, as a postgraduate in university. At that time there was no need for his specialty of military translator, so Denys interested in air reconnaissance. In February 2015, he voluntarily joined the 5th Battalion Tactical Group of the 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade.

From June 2015 to April 2016 he was at the frontline, performing combat missions in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. He carried out aerial reconnaissance of enemy actions and positions near the Donetsk airport, on the Svitlodarsk arch, near Popasna, in the Avdiivka industrial zone and other places. He became the commander of the air reconnaissance platoon of his battalion.

In August 2015, while on the battlefield in the Donetsk region, Denys took a photo, that became one of the symbols of Ukraine's struggle for independence against the Russian occupiers. On this photo, Denys and three combatants from his air reconnaissance platoon of 5th Battalion Tactical Group of the 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade reproduced a famous historical photo from World War II, when the US Marines raised the American flag over the Japanese island of Iwo Jima in February 1945. In 2021, Denys managed to visit the Memorial of the US Marine Corps and the grave of Ukrainian Michael Strank - one of those who raised the flag on Iwo Jima.

Before the war with Russia started, Denys became interested in printing and bought his first 3D printer. Later in 2015 he became the initiator of the volunteer project "People's Mobile Prosthesis", which aimed to create an affordable robotic hand project for the Ukrainian military and people with disabilities.

In December 2015, Denys Antipov took part in the project "Music of Warriors", in which he played the piano composition "Warriors of Light" (band Lyapis Trubetskoy), which became a symbol of the Revolution of Dignity.

A long-standing dream and the creation of the UA GIFTS platform

In April 2016, Denis Antipov was demobilized. On August 24, 2016, his long-held dream came true and Denys took part in a parade on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence.

Since 2016, he has developed his own veteran business, in particular, designed historical paintings, launched a store UA GIFTS to produce different types of handmade souvenirs. He created a marketplace, so that other veterans could also sell their products on his website. During the coronavirus on a volunteer basis Denys launched the production of protective shields for everyone at cost.

In 2018, Denys studied at the Kyiv School of Economics under the Entrepreneurship Program for ATO and JFO veterans. He later joined KSE events as a lecturer to share his veteran experience.

In 2020, to develop the capacity of the UA GIFTS workshop, Denys Antipov became a participant in the program of the International Organization for Migration to support veterans' business and the program of "House of Europe" - Creative Business Academy for creative entrepreneurs.

In June 2021, Denys posted on TikTok a humorous video for the song "Our Father Bandera", which became viral in just a couple of days and later became famous trend among Ukrainian youth. For now the original video has more than 1 million views.

In 2021 he completed an internship in the United States under the UBL PIE program: Ukrainian Business Leaders Promoting Innovation & Entrepreneurship, which is implemented by the American Councils. During the first stage, Denys virtually had an internship in collaboration with the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development. In the same year, with the support of the US government, Denys took part in a study trip to the US (D.C., Austin, San Diego), where he had the opportunity to share experiences with veteran entrepreneurs.

February 24, 2022

With the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Denys did not hesitate to join the ranks of the 95th Air Assault Brigade and went to the front. On March 9, he received a concussion and numerous injuries during an artillery shelling near the town of Izium in the Kharkiv region. As Denys himself wrote - this was his second birthday.

Even during the treatment, for the struggle on the information front, Denys managed to launch a website to show the world the true face of Russians in foreign languages: https://translatedfromrussian.info

After treatment at the hospital, Denys has raised money for a car for his military unit and immediately returned to the front line in early May. 

May 11, 2022 about 10 o'clock operation officer of the 1st Airborne Assault Battalion of the 95th Air Assault Brigade, Lieutenant Denys Antipov, died heroically defending the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine during a defensive battle between brigade units and the enemy near the Dovhenke village (Kharkiv region) as a result of which he received received injuries incompatible with life as a result of enemy shelling by tanks and artillery.

Denis Antipov was awarded orders, medals and awards:

• Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III degree (posthumously)
• Award of the President of Ukraine "For participation in the anti-terrorist operation"
• Breast sign "ATO Participant"
• Breast sign "War veteran - participant in hostilities"
• Participant in the anti-terrorist operation. Veteran 5 BTGr "Kremin"
• Commemorative award - medal "Participant of the military parade"
• Honorary award "Defender of Ukraine from moscow aggression"
• Medal of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council “Knight of Combat Rank” (posthumously)
• Medal “Honor.Glory.State” (posthumously) - by order of the Kyiv City Mayor
• Medal “For Merit to the Prikarpattia” (posthumously) - by the award of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration and the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Also
   
  30.06.2022 the Center of Korean Language and Literature of Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv officially received a new name - "Center of Korean Language and Literature named by Denys Antipov"
   
  30.06.2022 a symbolic beech tree was planted and a commemorative plaque was installed in honor of Denys Antipov in the courtyard of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
   
  29.07.2022 according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine № 541/2022 was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi III degree (posthumously).
   
  09.08.2022 the Obertyn village council renamed the street Gerulivka in the village of Khotymyr (Ivano-Frankivsk region) on the Denys Antipov street.
   
  27.08.2022 Denys Antipov's photo was added to the Memory wall of Fallen Ukrainian Defenders in the Russian-Ukrainian War near Mykhailivska Square in Kyiv.
   
  11.10.2022 civic activists dismantled a monument of the Russian poet and symbol of "russian world" Alexander Pushkin in Kyiv. The dismantling was dedicated to the fallen lieutenant Denys Antipov, with the inscription "For the Buk" on the monument's pedestal.
   
  27.10.2022 by the decision of the Kyiv City Council from №5544/5585 street Slavhorodska in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv was renamed to Denys Antipov street.
   
  10.01.2023 Denys Antipov's parents, Hennadiy and Maria, founded charitable organization in memory of their son, “Denys Antipov Foundation” and presented their own website www.dacf.in.ua
   
  In January 2023 “Denys Antipov Foundation” founded monthly scholarship for the 10 best students of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
   
  10.05.2023 at the “Lira” cinema (Kyiv) took place a pre-premiere screening of the film "Either us. Or them", created by the memorial platform "Memorial" in memory of Denys Antipov. From 11.05.2023 the film became available online with subtitles in 9 languages.
   
  11.05.2023 a memorial plaque dedicated to Lieutenant Denys Antipov was officially opened at the Askold grave park at the military chapel.
  26.05.2023 the "Sviatoslav" music band led by Svyatoslav Sylenko together with Serhiy Vasylyuk presented the new song "Volunteers". Denys Antipov became one of the soldiers depicted on the cover and those to whom this song is dedicated.
   
  13.07.2023 by the decision of the Kyiv City Council № 6920/6961, Denys Antipov was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of Kyiv" (posthumously).
   
  26.09.2023 Denys was awarded the medal “Knight of combat action” (posthumously) by the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council.
   
  29.08.2023 the exhibition “Flags of his smiles, tears and victories” was opened at the Museum of the Occupation of Kyiv on Denys Antipov street, which lasted from 29.08.2023 to 07.01.2024.
   
  30.09.2023 in Cherkasy region during the 28th commemoration of the heroes of Kholodnyi Yar near the Motronynsky Monastery at the Memorial to the Soldiers of the Russian-Ukrainian War, monuments to Denys Antipov, Oleg Sobchenko, Yulian Matviychuk and Yuriy Dadak were opened.
   
  01.10.2023 in Kyiv took place presentation of the book “Noble Hearts” (Marko Melnyk publishing house) dedicated to the fallen soldiers Denis Antipov, Oleg Sobchenko, Yulian Matviychuk, and Yuriy Dadak.
   
  02.12.2023 took place the opening ceremony and consecration of the monument at the grave of Denys Antipov in the village of Khotymyr, Ivano-Frankivsk region.
   
  23.06.2024 in Khotymyr village were opened information banners for three fallen soldiers who died in battles with the Russians - Denys Antipov (95th brigade), Volodymyr Nikhayenko (10th brigade) and Mykhailo Klodnitsky (78th regiment).
   
  11.03.2024 Denys Antipov was posthumously awarded the medal “Honor. Glory. State” by order of Kyiv City Mayor.
   
  In April-May 2024, at the initiative of the memorial platform "Memorial", a social video about Denys Antipov was created and shown on the screens of “Intercity+” trains, as well as before screenings in the “Zhovten” and “Oscar” cinemas.
   
  In May-June 2024, at the initiative of the Department of Public Communications of the Kyiv City State Administration, social advertising dedicated to the renaming of the street in honor of Denys Antipov was placed on city lights and billboards in Kyiv.
   
  19.09.2024 the Kyiv City Mayor presented a diploma and a badge “Honorary Citizen of the City of Kyiv” for Denys Antipov (posthumously) during the Kyiv City Council session. The award was received by his father, Hennadiy Antipov.
   
  22.10.2024 Denys Antipov was awarded the medal "For Merit to the Ciscarpathia" (posthumously) - a distinction of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration and the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council.
   
  29.11.2024 Myroslav Kuvaldin's song and videoclip "Goodbye" was released. It was dedicated to the fallen Ukrainian defenders. The video was created in collaboration with the memory platform "Memorial", which provided photos of the fallen soldiers. Denys' photo appears in the video at 2:33.