Former Fakty journalist Yaroslav Shapochka killed in combat

Yaroslav Shapochka, former Fakty journalist turned soldier, has been killed in action. He had been considered missing since March 2023, the media outlet reports on their website.

His death was confirmed by director Alina Khoroshylova on Facebook on February 10, 2025; in a comment she added that she learned this from Yaroslav’s wife.

“Sadly, our worst fears have proven true: Yaroslav Shapochka came back on the shield, now forever on heavenly guard. Eternal memory and glory to the Hero. I will announce all the details regarding the funeral later,” she wrote.

Yaroslav Shapochka. Photo by Yaroslav Shapochka on Facebook

Fakty writes that Yaroslav spents several years working as a correspondent for their news outlet at different points of his life.

“Sincere and uncompromising, he was remembered for his vivid stories about people making the history of Ukraine in the 21st century,” the media noted.

Update. In a comment to the Institute of Mass Information Alina Khoroshylova specified that Yaroslav Shapochka was killed on March 20 or 21, 2023, near Bakhmut, Donetsk oblast.

Novynarnia reports that Yaroslav Shapochka served in the rifle company No. 2 of the separate territorial defense battalion No. 207 (Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv), UAF Territorial Defense brigade No. 241.

Yaroslav Shapochka, aged 50, was a Kyiv-based journalist, artist, public activist, participant in the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. He studied at school No. 117 on Luteranska St. He graduated from the Institute of Journalism of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (1991-1996). Later he mastered the professions of a director and photographer.

He enlisted in the Kyiv brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces in the first days of the full-scale war.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.

According to the Institute of Mass Information, Yaroslav Shapochka is the 9tth media professional to die as a result of Russia's full-scale aggression.