Zubanych joined the Ukrainian Ground Forces in 2000 and graduated from the
Odesa Institute of Land Forces. He was initially posted to the
24th Mechanized Brigade. Zubanych became a company commander in the 15th Separate Mountain Battalion of the
128th Mechanized Brigade. On 6 December 2012, Zubanych was awarded the
Medal For Military Service to Ukraine. He later became battalion chief of staff. He became commander of the battalion on 31 December 2013. From May 2014, he fought in the
War in Donbass. Zubanych fought in battles in Novoannovku, Nyzhne Teple, Luhansk village, Makarove, and
Shchastia. He served at mobile checkpoints, escorting supplies and convoys. Zubanych's positions were repeatedly shelled and attacked by separatists. While leading an assault group at the
Luhansk Airport to cover the retreat of Ukrainian troops from an encirclement, Zubanych was wounded by shrapnel and also shot but continued to lead the unit and refused hospitalization. The battalion was constantly under fire from
BM-27 Uragans,
BM-21 Grads, artillery, and mortars. On 23 March 2015, Zubanych was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine for his leadership. In September 2015, Zubanych became the commander of the newly formed
10th Mountain Brigade in
Kolomyia. == Personal life ==