Ivan S. Shulha (Shults)

The heart of Ivan Shulga (call sign Shulz) stopped beating on June 14, 2023, near the village of Zakitne in the Donetsk region. He was killed as a result of a serious injury on the way to the stabilization point. The defender was forever 34 years old. Ivan was born and raised in Kyiv. He graduated from Gymnasium No. 178. He obtained the profession of an architect at the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. For many years, he dedicated himself to his beloved work as a chief sound engineer at national TV channels: STB, 1+1, Ukraine, Pryamyi, and others. He filmed projects that the whole country loved: "Battle of Psychics," "Everyone Dances," "X-Factor," "MasterChef," "Treasures Around the World," "Weighed and Happy," "Dad's House," "Surprise-Surprise," news. He was a true master of his craft, so he was invited to international forums abroad, including those organized by the United Nations. On February 24, 2022, he broadcast the last news and voluntarily went to the military enlistment office. He defended Kyiv and the region. Then, in the ranks of the 241st separate brigade of the territorial defense, he liberated the Kherson region, participated in the cleanup of the Mykolaiv region, and defended the border with Belarus. Since March 2023, he has been fighting in the Bakhmut direction. He saved the lives of many comrades-in-arms: by covering them or establishing radio communication to evacuate the wounded. He held the position of driver of the grenade launcher section of the fire support platoon. On June 12, 2023, soldier Ivan Shulga and his comrades-in-arms were tasked with holding the combat positions against the enemy's advance. The second day of the enemy's attacks on the positions of the Ukrainian defenders was successfully repelled, four in total. Then the artillery barrage began. The commander was the first to die, panic ensued, but Ivan took command, calmed his comrades-in-arms, and ordered everyone to hold the flanks. Next to Ivan, a shell hit that severely damaged his legs, and the fighter was buried under the earth from the dugout. His comrades-in-arms dug him out, and he was conscious the whole time. For 5 hours, Ivan was evacuated for 2 kilometers through the trenches, as the enemy constantly shelled. The defender was killed on the way to the stabilization point. "Ivan lived for music, he was involved in it since childhood. He played the piano and bass guitar. He was the bassist of the metal band 'Termination Central,' the organizer of many metal, hardcore, and electronic music festivals in Kyiv. He loved to cook and travel. We were, are, and will be one whole. I was killed together with my beloved husband. He is my beacon that will never go out, I am always with him, in whatever world or life he may be. I will love him eternally!" - said his wife Anastasia. The defender was buried at the Berkovets Cemetery in his native Kyiv. Ivan Shulga is survived by his mother, wife, and son. Ivan Shulga was awarded the medal "Honor. Glory. State," and posthumously - the Order of Courage of the III degree.