Artem STUPAK

Artem was born in the city of Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region. He graduated from the Dnipro College of Railway Transport and Transport Infrastructure. In 2010, he began working on the railway as a grinder for the mobile rail-welding machine of the Verkhovtsevskiy rail-welding train No. 39. He then worked as a track installer for the Kryvyi Rih track distance, a signal and communication electrician in the Kryvyi Rih signaling and communication distance, and an electromechanic in the first group section.

In December 2021, Artem enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine under contract. He served as a sniper in the reconnaissance platoon of the reconnaissance company. He was posthumously awarded the Order of "For Courage" of the III degree.

33-year-old Artem Stupak was killed in action on March 28, 2022, near the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.

During a ceremonial school event where colorful balloons were released into the sky and children were asked to make wishes, Artem's younger son Vitalik said with sadness and hope: "I want my dad to be alive..."

His wife Victoria shares: "Artem was cheerful, sociable, and kind. He loved fishing and kept bees. Our family was filled with love and mutual respect. My husband treated me very well, as they say, he carried me in his arms. He took on the heaviest work (like in the garden) and didn’t let me lift anything heavy. To be close to the family, he changed his job and profession." When they met, Victoria already had a 4-year-old son, Vanya, from her first marriage. "Artem accepted my boy as his own child, played with him, and raised him. Later, we had a son together, Vitalik, but both boys were dear to him." Artem was a participant in the ATO, kept in touch with his comrades, and at the end of 2021 decided to sign a contract and return to service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Our sons are very proud of their father. The younger Vitalik, who is now eight, tells everyone that his dad is a hero. Seventeen-year-old Vanya is more reserved. He quietly visits his father's grave to talk to Artem alone and isn’t ashamed of his tears."

Artem is survived by his wife Victoria, son Vitaliy, mother Natalia Ivanivna, and brother Oleksandr.

The team of the Kryvyi Rih signaling and communication distance of the regional branch "Pridniprovsk Railway" of JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" deeply mourns the loss of their colleague, Artem Stupak. Eternal memory to the defender, who is so missed by his sons!