Bohdan P. Bilyk

Bilyk Bohdan Petrovych was born on February 20, 1984, in Uzhhorod. In 2006, he graduated from Uzhhorod National University. During his service, Senior Sergeant Bohdan Bilyk established himself as a responsible and diligent serviceman. He approached the tasks assigned to him regarding the protection of Ukraine's interests with a sense of patriotism. From July 9, 2015, to October 28, 2016, Senior Sergeant Bilyk participated in the anti-terrorist operation, as part of a unit of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, ensuring its conduct and the protection of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In February 2022, he was called to military service in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine by mobilization. Since March 2022, the serviceman served in the 3rd border detachment in Luhansk region, where he bravely and selflessly performed service-combat tasks. Bohdan Bilyk was assigned to the rapid response border command "Novopskov." The unit was constantly under enemy mortar and artillery fire. Bohdan repeatedly participated in repelling armed attacks on the border guards' positions, demonstrating true heroism and courage. Since January 2023, Bohdan Bilyk continued, as part of his unit, to bravely and heroically carry out combat tasks to defend the fortress city of Bakhmut in Donetsk region. On March 29, 2023, a group of border guards from the rapid response border command No. 1, under the command of Senior Sergeant Bilyk, held the defense at the fire position "ROOF-1" in the area of Bakhmut, Donetsk region. They had to hold the defense at the designated line under heavy enemy fire. In the conditions of intense shelling, risking his life and health, Bohdan competently and confidently directed the actions of the personnel. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation shelled the Ukrainian positions with mortars and tanks, so a decision was made to retreat to a backup defense line. Senior Sergeant Bohdan Bilyk provided cover for his group and was the last to withdraw. During the retreat, the border guard sustained injuries incompatible with life. For his personal courage and selfless actions displayed in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and loyalty to his military oath, Senior Sergeant Bohdan Petrovych Bilyk was posthumously awarded the Order of "For Courage" III degree.