Dmytro S. Taranukha (Dzhoker)

32-year-old Sergeant Dmytro Taranukha (call sign Joker) was killed on September 10, 2022, in battle near the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. During an enemy tank shelling, the defender sustained fatal injuries. Dmytro was born in the village of Nyzhnya Duvanka in the Luhansk region. He graduated from the local school and studied at vocational school No. 114 in the village of Khomivka. He dreamed of becoming a soldier. He was very happy in life, always smiled, and wanted to live. He was passionate about cars, saved up money, and bought the car of his dreams. He adored tattoos. In 2017, Dmytro fulfilled his dream and became a serviceman in the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodny Yar." He participated in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO). With the onset of the full-scale war, the defender defended Kharkiv region and later went to Donbas. Unfortunately, he did not return from that rotation. "Dmytro was a sensitive and kind guy who bravely stood up to defend our Ukraine. He constantly smiled; there was never a day when he was gloomy. He loved life so much... His death must not be in vain. We are obligated to remember him forever. Because we owe all defenders for our tomorrow," said his friend Halyna. The defender was buried at the Krasnopil Cemetery in the city of Dnipro. Dmytro is survived by his parents, sister, and beloved girlfriend.