Square in Kyiv Named After Sviatoslav Aleksandpolskyi
On April 23, the Kyiv City Council voted to name a square on Yuri Shumsky Street after Sviatoslav Aleksandpolskyi, a Hero of Ukraine who lost his life due to Russian aggression. The decision followed a public discussion and a vote conducted via the Kyiv Digital app. The square is located in the Dnipro district on Yuri Shumsky Street, between buildings 1-B and 3.
Biography of Sviatoslav Aleksandpolskyi
Born in Saky in Russian-occupied Crimea, Aleksandpolskyi completed his mandatory military service in 2009 and signed a contract with military unit 3009 in Simferopol the following year. In 2012, he earned a degree in Tourism from the Crimean branch of Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts. A well-known ultra of the Simferopol club Tavriya, he actively supported Ukrainian statehood in Crimea during the Euromaidan protests. After facing persecution from the occupation authorities, he relocated to Lviv, where he joined the Azov regiment.
In 2017, Aleksandpolskyi signed a contract with the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade, later transferring to the 95th Air Assault Brigade, where he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Forces Operation. In 2020, he was discharged into the reserves and enrolled at the National Defense University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi. He worked for Solvd Inc., but immediately after the full-scale invasion began, he returned to defend Ukraine, joining the 126th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. That summer, he completed military officer training and served as a reconnaissance platoon commander.
Posthumously, Junior Sergeant Aleksandpolskyi was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. He was cremated in Odesa; part of his ashes are buried at Baikove Cemetery, with the remainder planned to be scattered in Crimea and Greece. He is survived by his mother, brother, and partner.
“Sviatoslav Aleksandpolskyi was one of those people for whom Ukraine was not an abstraction. He fought for it in Crimea, defended it in the east, and stood for Kyiv and the Kyiv region during the most difficult times. Naming a square after him is not just about immortalizing the memory of a Hero of Ukraine, but about paying proper tribute to a warrior, volunteer, and patriot who gave his life for our state.”
Dmytro Bilotserkovets
His comrade-in-arms, Yevhen, added: “He was a person of great character, always eager for battle, extremely active, and ready to carry out any task.” Aleksandpolskyi’s partner, Anna, recalled his fearlessness and thirst for knowledge, calling him a “true patriot of his country.”
Additionally, during the plenary session on April 23, the Kyiv City Council also voted to name a nameless passageway between Mariinsky Park and building No. 9 on Mykhailo Hrushevsky Street after Andriy Parubiy. This decision was supported by 70 deputies.
Naming the square after Sviatoslav Aleksandpolskyi represents a significant step in honoring those who died for Ukraine’s independence. Such decisions not only preserve the memory of fallen heroes but also underscore the importance of their contributions to the struggle for statehood. Public discussions and the active involvement of local authorities reflect that the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers remains a priority for society, especially amid ongoing aggression. Commemorating figures like Aleksandpolskyi also helps shape national identity and patriotism among younger generations.
As the city honors the memory of fallen heroes, the recent dedication of a memorial plaque for Volodymyr Pyrohov serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who defended Ukraine. This initiative not only commemorates individual bravery but also reflects the collective effort to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Ukrainian soldiers. To learn more about this tribute, click here.