Taras R. Foliush

50-year-old soldier Taras Folush died on March 21, 2022 during a hostile assault near the village of Novooleksandrivka in the Luhansk region. Taras was considered missing for 2.5 years until a body exchange took place. The examination established that the cause of death was shrapnel injury. Taras was born in the city of Lviv. Later, the family moved to the village of Mali Hrybovychi. He studied at a secondary school in Mali and Velyki Hrybovychi. He mastered the profession of a builder at the Lviv Higher Vocational School No. 48. From a young age, he was interested in radio electronics and photography, had an analog camera, and engaged in manual chemical processing of photographs. He worked in the construction industry. Initially, he was a painter and decorated Lviv churches. Later, he mastered other construction skills. He was passionate about his work, was a jack-of-all-trades, and was knowledgeable about all aspects of construction and repair. He almost single-handedly built a new house in his native village. He always had an active civic position, was a participant in the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. On February 24, 2022, the man went to the military enlistment office without hesitation and joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo. He held the position of senior rifleman. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the eastern direction of the front. "My father was a very good person, he always helped others, both close and strangers. He had great authority in his profession, and people always asked for his advice. He worked very hard to provide for his large family with everything they needed. He was a patriot of his country. He will always remain a role model for his children," said the deceased's son, Volodymyr. "We lived with my husband for exactly 25 happy years, raised two wonderful children, for whom Taras was ready to do anything. He was a truly loving husband, a caring father, and a caring son. He was always very positive, loved to joke. Despite the great busyness at work, the family was always the most important thing for him. We remember the wonderful joint trips, family evenings, Sunday walks. And how many more plans were ahead... But, unfortunately, the war changed everything, dividing our lives into before and after," shared his wife Natalia. Taras was buried in the Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv. He is survived by his parents, wife, daughter, son, three sisters, and a brother. The defender was posthumously awarded the "Honorary Badge of St. George" and the "Cross of the Hero" order.