Taras V. Savchuk (Vovkulaka)

Defender Taras Savchuk (call sign Vovkulaka) was killed on December 22, 2022, while carrying out a combat mission in the area of Bilhorivka, Donetsk region. The warrior was 29 years old. Taras was born in Zolochiv, Lviv region. He graduated from the Lviv Commercial Academy. Then he stuwas killed at the Lviv Polytechnic National University, majoring in "English Language and Digital Communications". He worked at the IT company "Abto Software". He was a member of the organization "UNA-UNSO". He actively participated in the Revolution of Dignity. Since 2014, the man has been defending Ukraine. He fought in Donbas as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 54th and 131st separate reconnaissance battalions. With the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Taras, together with his comrades-in-arms, took up arms again to defend his homeland from the occupiers. He served in the 8th battalion of the 10th separate mountain assault brigade. His unit defended Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk regions. "Taras was an incredibly intelligent and bright person. He was interested in military history, astrophotography, and loved hiking in the mountains. Last year he got into motorcycle tourism. He was also engaged in research activities. The war takes the best. And this is something we will never be able to forgive the Russians, even in hundreds of years. We will miss you, friend. Thank you for your feat," wrote the colleagues of the fallen. "Taras was an example of courage for everyone who knew him. He had a great sense of humor, was kind, polite, brave, and caring. He loved good coffee terribly. My brother was courageous, restrained, and fair, the best of people. I am infinitely sad," said the sister of the fallen warrior. "Life continues to lose meaning. My immortal sniper-ironman friend is no more. For over 10 years, we balanced, changed professions, made revolutions, challenged life, laughed and shared dreams. This era did not always suit him, because he was a knight, a refined aristocrat, quietly doing what others make a loud name for. We discussed a lot - from relationships and books to SS hairstyles, he never spoke badly of people, and before lights out he introduced his comrades-in-arms to the wisdom of the Stoics. Always in perfect shape and with a sparkle in his eyes. I don't know how to continue the fight for justice after all this. Heroes die," wrote his close friend Olga Hrytsyuk. The warrior was buried on the Alley of Glory in his hometown. Taras is survived by his mother Maria, father Volodymyr, sister Marta, and girlfriend Vitaliia.