Taras V. Buchko (Student)

Senior soldier Taras Buchko (call sign Student) was killed on September 20, 2022, while carrying out a combat mission in the area of the village of Chervona Dolyna in Mykolaiv region. The fighter was 43 years old. Taras was born in the city of Novoyavorivsk in Lviv region. He stu at the local school No. 3. He then graduated from Lviv State University of Physical Culture. He worked as a builder in Ukraine and abroad. He played football for the amateur team of Novoyavorivsk. With the beginning of the full-scale war, he took up the defense of his native country with the words: "I will not let this evil come to my home and show its rights. I cannot protect you here, so I must go there." He fought in the ranks of the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. He served as a shooter-sapper. He carried out combat missions in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. "We were very similar in everything to my dad. From childhood, he raised me to be a strong and fighting girl. I was afraid of my dad, but I could always turn to him for help, as he gave wise and instructive advice. He was very caring, gentle, sensitive, and the best father. With the start of the war, he became incredibly brave and fearless. We cried together for a long time on February 25 when he went to war. And from that day, I became his rear support, getting him and his brigade the necessary items and medications. I sent a lot. He always shared and gave his last to his comrades. His last words were: 'I will come home either with victory or I will die for Ukraine,'" said the daughter of the fallen soldier. The defender was buried in his hometown. Taras is survived by his mother Natalia Vasylivna, wife Halyna, daughter Andriana, son Sviatoslav, and brothers Vasyl, Yuriy, and Oleg.