Mykhailo R. Telichuk (Chaika)

Lieutenant Mykhailo Telichuk (call sign Chaika) was killed on June 8, 2023, near the village of Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region. While carrying out a combat mission, he sustained fatal shrapnel wounds during enemy shelling. He would have turned 21 on September 26. Mykhailo was born in the village of Lazeshchyna in the Zakarpattia region. He studied at the local school No. 1 and the Prykarpattia Military-Sports Lyceum. He also graduated from the military department of the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi. He loved sports, particularly Thai boxing. During the full-scale war, the young officer served in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was the commander of a tank platoon in the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. "He was more than a brother and son to us. He wanted to give us a better future, so that we could feel better in our native country. He did everything he could. He fought not for himself, but for us, for our future, for the development of the country and the entire nation. This is a very heavy loss for our family. We can't believe it. He was our Hero, and now he has become our guardian angel. Glory to the Hero!" said the deceased's brother, Denys. "Misha was devoted to his cause. I'm proud of my brother. He gave his life for us, and he didn't even have a chance to live properly. Let's remember who we live on free land thanks to," added Mykhailo's brother, Vasyl. The officer was buried in the village of Yasinia in Zakarpattia. Mykhailo is survived by his parents and two brothers.