Bohdan A. Vakiv (Pavuk)

20-year-old senior soldier Bohdan Vakiv (call sign Spider) was killedon February 28, 2023 during the defense of Luhansk region from the occupiers. During the enemy mortar shelling, the young man covered his comrade, and himself received fatal injuries. Bohdan was born in the village of Rakiv, Ivano-Frankivsk region. He studied at the local school. From a young age, he was passionate about sports: he engaged in Greco-Roman wrestling and football. He was active, cheerful, and had many friends. Later, he obtained the profession of a bartender-waiter at the Lviv Higher Vocational School of Technology and Service. In the spring of 2021, Bohdan was drafted into the National Guard of Ukraine for conscript military service. In the fall, he decided to sign a contract and remain in military service. He held the position of a rifleman-radio operator. From the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion, his unit stood up to defend Ukraine. In March 2022, Bohdan was concussed. After treatment, he returned to his comrades to stand guard on the Belarusian border. On February 23, 2023, they were sent to the Luhansk region, where he was killed5 days later. "He will forever remain in our memory as a bright Angel who gave his life for the Motherland, for each of us, for our spirituality, native language, our identity. Glory to Ukraine! Eternal Glory to our Hero!" - wrote Nazariy Ivaniv, head of the permanent commission on budget issues of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council. "The best in the world!" - said the sister of the fallen Lyudmyla. Bohdan was buried in his native village. At home, his mother and sister were waiting for him.