Today the President of Ukraine awarded Vasyl Slipak with the title “Hero of Ukraine” and the order “Zolota Zirka” (“Golden Star”), said Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine spokesperson on ATO related issues at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Wassyl Slipak was an outstanding opera singer. He frequently performed in France at such venues as Paris Opera and Opéra Bastille. For his opera performance, Slipak received several awards, including “Best Male Performance” for the Toreador Song. He joined the protests during the Revolution of Dignity and later, following the start of the conflict, came back to Ukraine and joined the ranks of Ukrainian army. “He was an incarnation of an image of talented, intelligent, successful Ukrainian who left everything to fight for country in times of danger,” noted Col. Motuzyanyk.
Vasyl Slipar died on June 29, 2016 on the Svitlodarsk bulge, killed by a sniper shot during counter-attack of Ukrainian army.