Led the defense of Mariupol: what we know about Denis "Radish" Prokopenko.

A 33-year-old resident of Kyiv participated in the Revolution of Dignity. He graduated from Kyiv Linguistic University, specializing in English teaching. In 2020, he became a student at the National Defense University of Ukraine in the Department of "Combat Application and Command of Mechanized and Tank Troops".

In 2014, Prokopenko took on the role of grenade launcher in the "Azov" battalion, participating in battles for Maryinka, Ilovaisk, and Shyrokyne. His leadership qualities enabled him to become the head of the Azov Special Operations Unit at just 26 years old, making him the youngest commander in the history of the National Guard and Defense Forces.

The fighter with the call sign "Radish" enjoys unquestionable authority among the military, and Russians fear him greatly, his comrades note.

In 2015, he was awarded the medal "For Military Service to Ukraine," and four years later, he received the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi III class.

Defense of Mariupol and Russian Captivity

In February 2022, "Azov," under Prokopenko's command, defended Mariupol and neighboring areas. The combat mission was to hold positions for two weeks, diverting the occupiers' forces and thereby creating conditions for mobilizing reserves. Under such challenging circumstances, "Azov" held the defense of the city for 86 days.

Prokopenko planned airborne special operations and organized the evacuation of civilians from "Azovstal." By March 2022, "Radish" had already earned the title of Hero of Ukraine.

In his interviews, he emphasized that it was the defense of Mariupol that saved Ukraine, thanks to the efforts of the unit's fighters who paid for it with their lives in urban battles and during the terrorist attack at the colony in Olenivka. Other "Azov" fighters have been in Russian captivity for two years, Radish noted.

On May 16, following orders from command, Ukrainian defenders exited "Azovstal" to preserve personnel. The exit began on May 17, and Prokopenko was among the last to leave on the 20th.

"Radish" stated that managing units involves risk; there are no completely safe plans or operations in war, and one always has to take risks. A correct assessment of risks and having a "Plan B," according to him, allows for the achievement of objectives.

After the exchange on September 21, 2022, "Radish" found himself in Turkey along with other commanders.

There is a noteworthy aspect: Prokopenko is of Karelian descent, representing a Finno-Ugric people, whose great-grandfather fought against the USSR in the late 1930s and went missing after a battle with the Bolsheviks. Prokopenko wears a patch depicting the flag of the Republic of Karelia in memory of his ancestor.

Where is Denys "Radish" Prokopenko now

Upon returning to Ukraine, "Radish" resumed his military duties. According to him, he is not interested in other areas of activity.

"My heart, my soul, my body belong to Azov," he said during a meeting with the brigade's fighters.

Since August 2023, the brigade under his command has been fighting in the Toretsk direction.

Divisions and Army Corps for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

On the thousandth day of the war, the commander of "Azov," Prokopenko published a post on social media titled "A Great War Requires Major Changes." In it, he outlined his thoughts on the necessary changes in military management.

"Strategic mistakes in planning cannot be compensated for at the tactical level when the enemy has a significant advantage in almost everything," he noted.

He also spoke about unjustified losses of personnel that could have been avoided, significant deterioration in cooperation, and the misuse of units.

"With a front line over 1000 km wide, it is quite senseless and ineffective to micromanage by descending to manual control of companies and battalions. Meanwhile, the enemy organizes management at the level of divisions, corps, and armies, facilitating their planning and deployment processes, knowing their potential and real capabilities," the publication stated.

Among other things, he proposed creating divisions and army corps for conducting a full-scale war against a strong adversary, who has advantages in personnel, equipment, armaments, and ammunition. He also mentioned a "transition to strategic defense with a meager claim for conducting counteroffensive actions (operations) at the operational-tactical level."

Some commentators on the post even suggested that Prokopenko should lead the army along with other brigade representatives.

"Azov" near New York

Prokopenko's unit is involved in combat operations in the Donetsk region, particularly near New York. Recently, the "Azov" fighters released a video compiling moments of defeating enemy infantry and equipment, as well as footage from their positions. The enemy attacks were repelled through the joint efforts of strike UAV operators, artillery, and infantry tanks of "Azov" and adjacent units.

Judging by the video, during the offensive actions, the Russians suffered heavy losses in personnel and equipment.

In September, the "Azov" fighters also conducted an operation during which they impersonated Russian scouts and captured three occupiers.

At that time, two servicemen from the 2nd and 1st companies of the 153rd Tank Regiment were captured; National Guard special forces entered the Russians' positions, assured them that they were airborne scouts, and began a conversation. During the discussion, one of the fighters confessed that he was Ukrainian. He then offered the Russians to surrender.