In a conversation with his brothers, he said: “We gathered on one principle: “Motherland. Defend. It is necessary”.” So he was – a faithful sworn brother, brave to the last breath.

The officer graduated from Kyiv military school and became a special forces intelligence officer. Popov had a seniority pension, but he could not stand aside in 2014, when Russia broke into the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

In February 24, Popov was in Mariupol. He left the cordon in March, but returned to the city with evacuation flights to take out the wounded people from Azovstal.

The DIU officer had many military awards, as the following ones are: “For courage while performing special tasks”, “For military prowess”, “For loyalty to military intelligence”, “Defender of the Motherland”, “For participation in the antiterrorist operation”, UN medal and several commemorative badges.

According to the Presidential Decree no. 505, Ruslan Popov received posthumously two more awards: the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of “Golden Star”.

Military Intelligence of Ukraine expresses its condolences to the family of the Hero of Ukraine, who gave his life defending Ukraine from the occupier.

Heroes do not die! Eternal memory!