Ihor P. Hnatiuk (Vikinh)

Soldier Ihor Hnatiuk (call sign Viking) was killed on June 19, 2024 while carrying out a combat mission in the area of the village of Synkivka in the Kharkiv region. The warrior was 26 years old. Ihor was a native of Ternopil. He studied to be an electric welder at a vocational school of technology and design. After graduating, he worked for a while, but was drafted into the regular military service. He loved music, fishing and football. He was passionate about collecting and making knives. He especially loved to restore old World War II products. After the victory, he planned to open his own workshop. In the first days of the full-scale war, Ihor voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At first, he was sent to the Ternopil Zonal Department of the Military Law and Order Service. He carried out tasks in the Kharkiv and Donetsk directions. Later he was transferred to the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade. There he held the position of anti-aircraft gunner in the anti-aircraft missile platoon. He fought in the Kupiansk direction. He received the call sign because he adored the history of the Vikings. He loved movies on this topic and music with Scandinavian motifs. He grew a beard. Igor's commander came up with the call sign a month later, not even suspecting the man's preferences. He said that Ihor resembled a Viking warrior. "Ihor was a very bright, sincere and kind person. A reliable friend who never refused and supported everyone. The best son for his mother and my whole world. My love, my life! We were supposed to have our whole life ahead of us: a family, children (he always wanted a son). We were supposed to get married on vacation. We didn't make it... When the full-scale war started, he went to the military enlistment office as a volunteer in the first days. According to his commander, he was one of his best people ever. He always supported his comrades-in-arms. He said they were brothers to him. Ihor did not complain, but always said that it was his duty, that everything would be fine and that we just had to wait a little. He chose this path himself and went with his head held high. He loved animals very much. We even have a cat that just adored him. He loved singing songs with a guitar with his friends. He loved this world and life. He gave the most precious thing for all of us," his beloved Snizhana said. The warrior was buried in the Alley of Heroes of the Mykulyntsi Cemetery in Ternopil. At home, Ihor was awaited by his mother, sister, grandmother and fiancée.