Bohdan Yu. Solomka

Senior soldier Bohdan Solomka (call sign Pavarotti) died on January 20, 2024 while carrying out a combat mission near the village of Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhia region. A month before this, the warrior turned 31 years old. Bohdan was born in the city of Sarny, Rivne region. He graduated from the Rivne Music College and the Rivne State University of Humanities. He was a professional choir conductor, but also engaged in vocal performance. He was the champion of Ukraine in bodybuilding, a former soloist of the philharmonic, an actor of theater and cinema, and a fitness trainer. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he took up arms and joined the ranks of volunteers to defend his country from the enemy. He first fought in the "Right Sector", and then transferred to the 140th separate special operations center of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a senior rifleman and medic of the group. "He was an incredible person with a capital letter! He radiated extraordinary charisma, warmth and light. Those who met him once could never forget him. He captivated the attention of everyone as soon as he entered the room or joined the company. And he left a deep mark on people's hearts. He always gave wise advice, and many turned to him for this. He worked a lot with orphaned children, ran children's camps and served teenagers. A devoted, God-loving Christian with a huge heart full of love. A wonderful, loving husband," said the wife of the fallen soldier, Anna. The defender was buried on the Alley of Heroes in his hometown. He is survived by his parents, two younger brothers and his wife. Posthumously, Bohdan Solomka was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.