Anatolii L. Vertepnyi (Vyhoda)

Senior Sergeant Anatoliy Vertepnyi (call sign Vyhoda) was killed on April 5, 2023, defending the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region from Russian occupiers. The defender was 52 years old. Anatoliy was born in the village of Vyhoda, Ivano-Frankivsk region. He graduated from the National Forestry University of Ukraine, where he studied "Forestry". He was a leading district wildlife specialist. He carefully carried out the duties of a ranger in the State Forest Fund of the Vyhoda Forestry. A public and political figure, a human rights defender, a participant in the Anti-Terrorist Operation, the head of the public organization "Vyhoda Union of Combat Veterans", a deputy of the Vyhoda settlement council of three convocations, the head of the faction of the National Corps political party. With the start of the full-scale war, the man without hesitation went to defend Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At first, he fought in the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade. He was a squad commander. He went through many hot spots on the front line. In March 2023, at his own request, he was transferred to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. Anatoliy was enthusiastic about this unit and was proud of his service in it. However, a month after the transfer, he was killed. "Anatoliy was a true patriot of Ukraine and a fighter for justice. That's why he ran for deputy with the words: 'I have zero tolerance for manifestations of injustice and corruption, so the main priority measure in any area is the destruction of corruption and the involvement of the public in the anti-corruption monitoring process.' On the first day of the full-scale invasion, he took up the defense of the state. He was seriously wounded twice and immediately after rehabilitation, he went back to the front line. Honest, fair, decisive, prudent, wise, a man of his word and order," Veronika Yantsur said. "Tolik! You were supposed to live! You had so much more to do in our native village! You told the truth that was inconvenient for some of our fellow villagers, and fought for it... I was more convinced than ever that you would do a lot more! Sleep, neighbor! Eternal memory," Ostap Savko wrote. The warrior was buried in his native village. At home, Anatoliy was awaited by his parents, wife, and two sons.