Roman V. Vakula

Senior soldier Roman Vakula was killed on July 20, 2022, during a combat mission near the village of Hrakove in the Kharkiv region. The warrior was 43 years old. Roman was born and lived his entire life in the settlement of Slatyne in the Kharkiv region. In 2002, he enrolled at the National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine. He worked at the Kharkiv pre-trial detention center, where he progressed to the position of fire safety inspector. In 2020, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the ranks of the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Cossack Ataman Ivan Sirko. He carried out combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation. From the first moments of the full-scale Russian invasion, Roman, along with his comrades, took up the defense of Ukraine. Their unit defended Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region. "Roman and I experienced the beginning of the full-scale war together. He was by my side all the time until his death. He was not just a friend to me, but much more — he was a brother. Or, as he liked to say, ‘Brotherly.' We had no secrets from each other. He was brave and determined. He seemed to know how to do everything, which often came in handy," recalls Merlon. "Roman never doubted our victory for a moment. He didn't even entertain the thought that his family would have to live under the yoke of the invaders. Roma was a wonderful father and husband. Family was his top priority. Our son has a role model to look up to. We all take pride in our father and husband. Heroes do not die! They always remain with us!" said his wife, Yulia. "The death of a comrade is a heavy blow. I met Roma in the pre-trial detention center, where we worked together. He was a positive person, a good friend, always ready to help. And the fact that he went to defend the Motherland from the very first days is no surprise to me. He always loved our Ukraine, adored his family. Eternal memory to you, my friend! Heroes do not die!" wrote Oleksandr Korniienko. "We knew Roma for 13 years, and during that time we became friends, godfathers. Roma never doubted for a moment in our victory over the enemy, always saying that we would meet after VICTORY, just like in good peaceful days! But it was not meant to be… The cursed war took away our brother, godfather, friend, and from the family, it took a wonderful father and a loving husband… Rest in peace, our dear friend! We remember and cherish you!" stated the Kryvetsky family. "We found out that he signed a contract and joined the Armed Forces almost a year later. Because he always said that he was going on a business trip. We have a large and friendly family. Roma was the kind of person you could rely on, always ready to help. I remember how they brought him home from the maternity ward when he was tiny. I ran to meet him, shouting, ‘Hooray, hooray, we have Romchik!' Also, we both have daughters named Daria. One is 31 years old, and the other is 9. Roma dreamed of a good education for his children and a cozy life in his home. He was always positive," said the sister of the deceased, Margarita. The defender was buried in Derhachi, Kharkiv region. Roman is survived by his father, sister, wife, son, and daughter. Senior soldier Roman Vakula was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.