Ukrainian serviceman Danyil "Surfer" Smyrnov killed in action weeks before he would have become a dad

Ukrainian assault soldier Danyil Smyrnov, known as Surfer, was killed in action on 28 August. He joined the military at the age of 18, returning to Ukraine from abroad to do so.

Source: Danyil's wife, servicewoman Yeva "Yunha" Smyrnova

Quote from Yeva: "My Dania 'Surfer' has been killed. His continuation, our son, little Smyrnov, is due to be born in a few weeks. After that, I will take revenge."

Details: Danyil previously commanded an assault group in the 2nd Mechanised Battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. He took part in battles in Donetsk Oblast, including on the Avdiivka front. He was wounded in one of the battles and underwent rehabilitation.

After recovering, Smyrnov continued his service in the International Legion, part of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Danyil's funeral will take place in Kyiv on 3 September. A memorial service will be held at St Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral (8 Triokhsviatytelska Street). He will be buried at Lisove Cemetery.

What is known about Surfer?

In an interview with the Rada TV channel, Danyil said that he was only 16 when Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Many of the men in his family joined the Territorial Defence Forces, while he helped the military at a checkpoint near his home.

Later, the young man went to Lithuania to study. According to Danyil, his parents insisted that he get an education and learn English. But Danyil chose a different path for himself.

"After that, my uncle suffered a very serious injury in Bakhmut, and that's when I decided that I had to return from Lithuania immediately and help my uncle bring our victory closer. Because no one is going to do it for us," the serviceman said.

Danyil's alias was chosen for a reason – he had been a professional surfer and competed in surfing competitions.

Danyil's wife, Yeva, is an FPV drone operator with a combat unit in the Rubizh Brigade, where she goes by the alias Yunha. She also joined the armed forces at the age of 18.

Yeva said in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda: "I celebrated my 18th birthday in Vienna, bought a ticket to Kyiv, and from there, almost a week or two later, I signed a contract as soon as I had the opportunity. But in fact I had made the decision long before that. I had wanted to do it from the very beginning and understood that this was something I could handle."

Danyil and Yeva met during the war. Their son is due to be born in a few weeks.

"I understand that through my own efforts, I can at least contribute in some way to making sure that one day my children can live in a beautiful, peaceful country," Yeva said.

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