A petition has been registered on the official website of the President of Ukraine calling for the highest state award—the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously)—to be granted to prominent civic and political figure, UNA-UNSO co-founder, and former Kremlin political prisoner Mykola Karpyuk. The document was registered on September 30, initiated by the NGO «Platform for the Liberation of Political Prisoners», with Roman Sushchenko acting as the author. This initiative aims to perpetuate the memory of a man who dedicated his entire life to the struggle for independence, democracy, and sovereignty of the Ukrainian state during its most complex historical milestones.
Life Path and Kremlin Dungeons
Mykola Karpyuk walked a long and thorny path in defending Ukrainian interests. He stood at the origins of the UNA-UNSO organization, actively participating in key epochal events of Ukraine's modern history, including the «Ukraine without Kuchma» campaign, the Orange Revolution, and the Revolution of Dignity. In March 2014, at the height of Russian aggression against Ukraine, he was cynically detained by Russian special services. Despite fabricated charges and severe pressure from investigators within the framework of an absurd case concerning the First Chechen War, a Russian court sentenced him to 22.5 years in prison in 2016. Karpyuk categorically rejected all accusations, and while in captivity, repeatedly reported being subjected to torture. The Memorial human rights center officially recognized him as a political prisoner whose freedom was restricted on political grounds.
Release and Voluntary Defense of the Homeland
After long years of captivity, on September 7, 2019, Mykola Karpyuk gained freedom as a result of a large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Upon returning to his native land, he did not stay away from public processes and continued his active civic work. With the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Karpyuk—who had already turned 60 at the time (an age when mobilization is carried out exclusively on a voluntary basis)—made the firm decision to take up arms. He voluntarily joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend the territorial integrity and security of his country on the frontline. His combat path was cut short on September 19, 2026, when he heroically died in a fierce battle with the invaders at the age of 62.
Petition Progress and Public Reaction
Currently, society has actively reacted to the death of the prominent compatriot. The petition to the head of state asking to confer upon him the title of Hero of Ukraine with the awarding of the «Gold Star» order is undergoing the signature collection phase. As of October 1, 2026, the document has gathered 283 votes out of the 25,000 required for its official consideration by the President. At the same time, citizens and public structures still have 91 days to support the initiative and pay deep tribute to the courage, resilience, and principles of Mykola Karpyuk, whose name is forever inscribed in golden letters in the modern history of Ukrainian resistance.
Contradictory Data
In official reports and open sources dedicated to the death of Mykola Karpyuk, certain discussions can be observed regarding the dates and statuses of older mobilized citizens in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. While some sources emphasize his voluntary enlistment in the army at age 60 without a mandatory draft notice, other human rights and public organizations point to the difficulties of adapting veterans with a severe prison background to modern frontline conditions. Nevertheless, the fact of his heroic death on September 19, 2026, in battle with Russian troops remains undisputed and is confirmed by all relevant departments and fellow servicemen.
