Dmytro V. Rytskyi (Riko)

Soldier Dmytro Rytskyi (call sign Riko) was killed on May 18, 2022, while performing a combat mission in the area of the village of Yakovlivka in Donetsk region. The warrior was 21 years old. Dmytro was born in the city of Kostopil in Rivne region. He graduated from the local school No. 2. He entered college but dropped out—realizing it wasn't for him, as he dreamed of being a soldier. In 2019, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Roman the Great. He carried out combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation. He dreamed of restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity to its 2014 borders. In his free time, he loved to walk with his dog—a Siberian Husky named Askar. From the first days of the full-scale war, Dmytro, along with his comrades, defended Ukraine from Russian occupiers at various sections of the front. "I am proud to have such a brother! He was only 21 years old, and this damned war took him from us... He was a wonderful son, a very good brother, and an uncle to his nephews, who always supported them and never let them lose heart. The heavens take the best, but Heroes never die! Glory to Ukraine!" said the deceased's sister, Anastasia. "He was known as a kind, caring, cheerful, and responsible fighter. He loved his mother, brothers, and sisters very much. He loved life, made plans for the future, and was never afraid of anything. His life motto was the slogan 'Move only forward!'. He didn't manage to do many things, yet he accomplished so much for his native land! They say that if the sun sets forever for someone, a new star appears in the sky, which will always remind us with its bright ray that Heroes never die," noted the Kostopil City Council. The serviceman was buried in his hometown. Dmytro is survived by his mother, two sisters, and two brothers. Posthumously, soldier Dmytro Rytskyi was awarded the Order of "For Courage" III degree.