Vinnytsia oblast official demands retraction of news about a Hero of Ukraine

Deputy mayor of Tyvriv village (Vinnytsia oblast) Serhiy Stepanyshyn accuses local journalists of spreading misinformation and demands they retract an article “and verify information before covering it in the media in the future”, reports 33 Kanal.

The news story in question is titled “This is disrespect for a Hero of Ukraine” an was released on March 12, 2025. It reports on the history of honoring the memory of UAH Air Force Colonel, Hero of Ukraine Denys Kyryliuk. It says that Kyryliuk, born in Hryshivtsi (Tyvriv hromada), was killed in an air battle with Russian troops in March 2023, saving civilians at the cost of his own life. Still, despite the high state awards and the death being evidently heroic, the banner installed in the Tyvriv Alley of Glory contained a phrase which the deceased officer's relatives found degrading: “Died in a plane crash.” The pilot’s father, Mykola Kyryliuk, says that such a wording distorts the circumstances of his son’s death, belittling his heroic feat. In addition, the banner does not mention that Denys was posthumously dubbed Hero of Ukraine.

Denys Kyryliuk (right). Photo by Valentyn Panchuk / NV

After the news was released, the editorial team received a letter signed by the deputy mayor of Tyvriv, Serhiy Stepanyshyn, demanding a retraction. The official claims that the text for the banner was taken from the official death notice issued on March 28, 2023. However, as journalists note, the officials ignored the second part of the notice, which said, “Details are being clarified.”

Denys Kyryliuk died in an air battle, as has been confirmed by his fellow servicemen, a decree by the President of Ukraine, and by the posthumous reception of the highest state award.

This prompted 33 Kanal journalists to call on the local authorities to update the banner, correct the text and admit to the error.