Ruslan V. Khariuk (KING)

Sergeant Major Ruslan Kharyuk (call sign King) was killed on June 27, 2024 near the village of Sokil in the Donetsk region. During the assault on enemy positions, while approaching the occupants almost at close range, he was killed as a result of a mortar attack. Ruslan was born in the village of Ploskaya, Chernivtsi region. He graduated from school and went into the army. He served in the National Guard of Ukraine. Then he worked in the rapid response unit "Tiger". He was passionate about pankration, an ancient Greek martial art. During the full-scale invasion, Ruslan served in the 355th Training Mechanized Regiment. He took part in the liberation of such settlements in the Kharkiv region as Ruski Tishki, Borshchova, Cherkasi Tishki, Kupiansk. He carried out complex combat missions. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended Bakhmut and Klishchyivka in the Donetsk region. On October 12, 2022, he received severe shrapnel wounds. He underwent a long rehabilitation. After that, he decided to return to the front line again. He underwent training in the United Kingdom, where he showed high results. He worked as an instructor and passed on his valuable combat experience. Since June, he has been attached to the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, where he held the position of Chief Sergeant of Intelligence. "From the first days of the war, he went as a volunteer. Ruslan always had a clear position, was a patriot and loved Ukraine very much. He considered it the duty of every man to defend it. In any situation, he defended justice, despite everything. He was very kind, polite, well-mannered and caring. No matter what situations occurred, he was positive and joked. As a commander, he was always a reliable shoulder for his comrades-in-arms, with whom they went through many hot spots and experienced many difficult moments. Ruslan fulfilled his duty with honor until his last breath, was faithful to the oath, the Ukrainian people and Ukraine," said Viktoria, a close person of the fallen. The warrior was buried in his native village. Ruslan's mother and beloved were waiting for him to return from the war.