Stepan V. Rachuk

Senior soldier Stepan Rachuk was killed in action on May 10, 2022, while performing a combat mission in the area of the village of Serebryanka in Donetsk region. The defender was 44 years old. Stepan was born in the village of Rukshin in Chernivtsi region. He received a secondary education. He worked as a laborer and for some time was an employee of a restaurant, as he loved cooking very much. He lived in the city of Rivne. He longed for peace for his country. When he received a summons in 2015, he immediately went to defend Ukraine in the ATO. Later, he returned to civilian life. However, when the full-scale war began, Stepan took up arms again and went to the front. He served in the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade. He was an operator of the Stugna anti-tank missile system. Together with his comrades, he destroyed the occupiers. "Stepan was a true warrior, a patriot, an example of resilience and strength of spirit. His comrades remembered him as a man of his word and courage. He gave his life so that we could live in a wonderful, independent country," wrote the widow of the fallen, Alla. The paratrooper was buried in his native village. Stepan is survived by his wife, relatives, friends, and comrades. For his combat achievements, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage III degree and the award of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine "For Sacrifice to Ukraine." Stepan Rachuk was also posthumously granted the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Rivne."