Taras V. Svystak (Fart)

Captain Taras Svystak (call sign Fart) was killed on May 16, 2022, in a battle with the occupiers near the village of Mykolaivka in the Donetsk region. The wounded officer saved about 45 comrades from enemy artillery fire at the cost of his own life. The defender was only 25 years old. Taras was born in the village of Sadyv in the Volyn region. After completing his secondary education, he chose a military career. He graduated from the Faculty of Missile Troops and Artillery at the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny in Lviv. After graduation, the young officer joined the ranks of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great. He immediately went to the front lines to carry out combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas. During the full-scale war, Taras continued to defend Ukraine from the occupiers as part of his brigade. He was the chief of staff of the 2nd battalion. “Taras was a fair leader, very knowledgeable in military affairs. His comrades valued him. Taras was completely dedicated to his work and his friends. Even after being transferred to the headquarters, he did not leave his soldiers. He went on combat missions with them, practically without sleep or rest. He was captured. When he escaped, he was injured in his right arm, but he did not go for rehabilitation because he could not leave his people. Taras was very kind, always cared more about others than himself. He had a dream — after the war, he wanted to get married in a church and have a big wedding in his parents' yard,” said the soldier's sister, Olena. “We didn't have time to get married, although I was sure that you would be with me forever… We didn't celebrate the wedding we dreamed of… We didn't have a daughter… We spent so little time together because of those…, as you were always either at the training ground or in the area of the Joint Forces Operation… We didn't manage to do so much together… This is unbearable pain that will never leave… I will remember you all my life! And I still can't understand why it had to be you?.. Such a bright person, an ideal man… There has never been and will never be anyone like you… I will love you forever!” wrote the beloved of the fallen, Andriana. The officer was buried in his native village. Taras is survived by his parents, sisters, wife, and son. Posthumously, Captain Taras Svystak was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III class.