Dmytro Zaitsev was born in 1979 in the Kherson region. After completing his mandatory military service, he settled in the military town of Hrushevo in the Tyachiv district.

Serving as a master sergeant and commander of the reconnaissance squad of the reconnaissance platoon within the mountain assault battalion of military unit A1556, Dmytro Zaitsev dedicated himself to protecting his country.

On June 24, 2022, he died in the regional hospital of Zaporizhzhia from injuries sustained in the line of duty while carrying out a combat mission.

For his personal courage in defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for his selfless service, Dmytro Zaitsev was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage, III Class.