“Russian warship, go f— yourself.”— Roman Hrybov, Snake Island, 2022
Born in 1990 in Zolotonosha, Roman worked as a bulldozer operator before his passion for serving his country led him to the military. In 2018 he signed a contract with the Ukrainian Marine Corps, joining the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi. Before the full-scale invasion he served a series of combat rotations in the east, in the ATO and Joint Forces Operation zone.
In 2022, stationed on Snake Island and faced with a demand from a Russian warship to surrender, Roman answered with the now-legendary reply that became an iconic symbol of Ukrainian resistance. His defiance in the face of overwhelming odds showed the world the strength of the Ukrainian spirit in the darkest days of the war.
Captured by Russian forces, Roman endured physical and psychological torture — from Crimea to tent camps and prisons — subjected to cruel treatment. Forced into a prisoner's robe and put under intense mental pressure, he never gave in. His endurance stands as a testament to the strength of the Ukrainian people.
For personal courage and selfless action in defence of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he was awarded the Order “For Courage”, III Class, and the “For Fortitude” distinction.
Roman came home from captivity, completed his military service, and started again — in business, and in the veteran community he came back to. He is a regional leader of the Association of Veteran Entrepreneurs of Ukraine, where his work is reintegration through enterprise: helping fellow veterans launch and grow businesses, and bringing resources into the region's economy. Alongside it he runs his own venture in commercial logistics.
He takes part in charitable initiatives supporting the Armed Forces, and speaks at events on veteran leadership, resilience, and what a country owes the people who defended it.
