51-year-old Volodymyr Andriiovych Potapenko — Skelia

Date 21.02.2026

Source note: official statements, media reports, eyewitness accounts, and social media claims are presented as claims by the respective sources. They are not treated as established facts without independent confirmation, forensic documents, or a court ruling.

51-year-old Volodymyr Andriiovych Potapenko died during training in the Skelia regiment. Babel gives the official cause as cardiopulmonary failure and partial pneumonia.

Chronology

  • His wife Olena Dudina says he entered the regiment on 2 February 2026.
  • He died on 21 February 2026 while guarding one of Skelia's sites.
  • Babel gives the official cause as cardiopulmonary failure and partial pneumonia.

Accounts

Babel's roster

Babel gives the official cause as cardiopulmonary failure and partial pneumonia.

Relatives and witnesses

Relatives say he had no drug dependence. His wife Olena Dudina told Babel that Volodymyr was not given medical help in time.

Sources