Salvador Dali Academy Student Killed on Easter Sunday While Flying a Vampire Drone at the Front

A Loss Felt Across Ukraine

According to Главком: On April 12, 2026, Ukrainian forces lost Oleksii Kolesnyk, a student at the Salvador Dali Academy of Modern Art who served as a pilot for the heavy Vampire attack drone. He died on the day Eastern Rite Christians in Ukraine celebrated Easter, adding a profound layer of sorrow to his passing. Kolesnyk volunteered for the military on February 24, 2022, the very day the full-scale war began, initially fighting as an infantryman before transitioning to drone operations. He would have turned 27 on May 7.

Remembering Oleksii

The Academy and Kolesnyk’s close friend, Sieva, shared their memories of him. In a post, the Academy wrote:

“Smiling, courageous, humble, genuine. That is how we remember him. That is how he will forever remain for us. Now there is only silence and unrelenting pain in our hearts. Thank you, Oleksii, for your bravery. For going where it was hardest, for defending our native land and us.” - Salvador Dali Academy of Modern Art

Sieva added that Kolesnyk was a 'unique guy' who chose his close circle with great care. 'He didn’t waste his emotional or life energy on people he wasn’t connected to, but for those he was connected with, he would do anything,' his friend emphasized. According to Sieva, Kolesnyk lived in a 'three-dimensional' world, which made his personality even more extraordinary.

Kolesnyk never let the war define him and had many passions outside of it. He played video games, painted Warhammer figurines, and drew. These interests rounded out his personality and made his life multifaceted. Every day at 9 a.m., Ukrainians hold a moment of silence for all those whose lives have been taken by the Russian-Ukrainian war, and Kolesnyk will forever be part of that remembrance.

The death of Oleksii Kolesnyk underscores the immense price Ukrainian society is paying for its independence and territorial integrity. His dedication to service and defense of his country, despite his young age, is a symbol of the sacrifice made by many young Ukrainians amid the war. The memory of him and all the fallen will live on in the hearts of Ukrainians, serving as a reminder of the importance of peace and unity in the nation.