Mykola M. Tkachuk (Chuma)

Soldier Mykola Tkachuk (call sign Chuma) was killed on June 9, 2022, during a night assault on positions in the area of the village of Myronivka in the Donetsk region. The defender was forever 51 years old. Mykola was born and lived in Kyiv. He graduated from the local gymnasium. His life was not easy, but he always accepted all challenges with dignity and courage. He had many hobbies, but he loved fishing the most. He created flawless wooden products and knew how to make glass decorations. Before the full-scale invasion, he worked at LLC "Fortuna". He highly valued his family and tried to do everything for his loved ones. He loved animals since childhood and cared for them. As an adult, he became a volunteer and tried to help the four-legged ones. On the morning of February 24, 2022, Mykola went to the cats he was caring for. He left them more food and went to the territorial defense, with which he later defended Irpin and Bucha. In his free time, the man tried to take care of abandoned animals, and later took a cat home. In April, he joined the ranks of the 242nd separate battalion of the territorial defense of the 241st brigade of the TRO of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the position of driver of the 7th rifle company. "He responsibly took on the tasks assigned, was constantly combat-ready, showed resilience and courage in the performance of military duty. He saved many animals, but, unfortunately, did not save himself. The hero gave his life defending the Motherland, the freedom and future of Ukraine," his comrades-in-arms noted. Mykola was buried in his native Kyiv. The defender is survived by his wife Svitlana, daughters Yevheniia and Khrystyna, grandson Mark, relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms.