He walked toward the enemy with his hands raised. He knew he might not come back. But behind him were his brothers-in-arms who still had a chance to survive. And at home, a four-month-old son was waiting for him. His name was Captain Taras Karpa. Call sign: “Pegasus.” Many people think russia’s war against Ukraine started on February 24, 2022. It didn’t. Taras was killed on July 17, 2014. Eight years before the full-scale invasion. He was a commander in Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Special Forces Regiment. His unit was searching for a downed Ukrainian Su-25 pilot near Snizhne, Donetsk region. Two Ukrainian special forces groups spent the night at an abandoned farm after the owner offered them shelter. That man secretly called russian-backed militants. By morning, the farm was surrounded by a tank and two APCs. There was only one way to give the others a chance to break out: someone had to go out unarmed and negotiate. Taras volunteered. He stepped forward with his hands raised. He never made it 50 meters. A machine gun burst cut him down. Ten Ukrainian special forces soldiers were killed. Five were captured. Only four escaped. Wounded, Taras was taken to a hospital. He managed to say only his name. The next day, he died from his injuries. His family spent almost a year and a half not knowing where he was. In 2015, the “Black Tulip” search mission found his grave in occupied Snizhne. DNA testing confirmed his identity. Taras Karpa was finally returned home and buried with full military honors. He left behind his wife Marina and his son Danylo — a child who was only four months old when his father was killed. Remember this: russia’s war against Ukraine did not begin in 2022. Thousands of Ukrainians were already paying the ultimate price long before the world started watching.