Vadym V. Dudko (Duda)

23-year-old scout Vadym Dudko (call sign Duda) was killed on September 7, 2022, during a counteroffensive operation in the Kharkiv region. Near the village of Maksymivka, the reconnaissance group was hit by shrapnel from enemy fire. All five soldiers were killed. Vadym was born in the village of Dubyshe, Volyn region. He graduated from the Dubyshe secondary school and the Zdolbuniv vocational school. In childhood, he was passionate about sports and played football, later he began to practice combat horting. He was a multiple champion of Ukrainian competitions. He became a Master of Sports of Ukraine in combat horting. He wanted to open his own sports club and train children. In 2018, together with two brothers, Vadym went to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine under a contract. He served in the 80th separate airborne assault brigade. After the end of the contract, he returned to civilian life. When the full-scale war began, the man again joined the ranks of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade. He was the commander of the reconnaissance platoon of the airborne assault battalion. "Vadym returned from abroad when he learned about the full-scale invasion, leaving his wife there. On February 25, 2022, he was already in the military unit. During all the months of the war, this 23-year-old guy went through a lot, it is impossible to write about everything. Courageous, strong, handsome, intelligent... but with a wounded soul. He was making the history of Ukraine, like all the heroes. Vadym is a hero for us, we will remember him all our lives," said the elder sister of the fallen, Svitlana. The young paratrooper was buried in his native village. Vadym is survived by his mother, wife, sister and three brothers. Posthumously, Senior Soldier Vadym Dudko was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree and the Medal "For Military Service to Ukraine".