Valerii K. Shyshak (Poliak)

Born on December 12, 1960, in the village of Plakho-Petrivka, Bilokurakynskyi district, Luhansk region. Graduated from high school. Served in the Armed Forces of the USSR. Participated in the war in Afghanistan. Lived in the city of Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk region. Worked for a long time as an administrator in a restaurant, later in a credit union. Retired. Despite his age, he could not remain indifferent to the events threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in 2014. From 2014 to 2016, he served in the special police patrol battalion "Luhansk-1" of the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk region (since 2015 - the special police patrol battalion "Luhansk-1" of the Main Department of the National Police in Luhansk region). Participated in the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine. From March 16, 2016, he served under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Completed officer courses. Served as commander of the 1st platoon of the 3rd company of the 1st battalion of the 24th separate mechanized brigade named after King Daniel of the Operational Command "West" of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (military unit A0998 (field post V4680), in the city of Yavoriv, Lviv region). Again participated in the anti-terrorist operation / joint forces operation in eastern Ukraine. Call sign "Poliak". Fought near the village of Krymske in the Novoaidar district, the city of Popasna in Luhansk region, and the city of Toretsk in Donetsk region. On June 28, 2018, at 8:30, the enemy opened fire with mortars, automatic grenade launchers, and heavy machine guns on the urban-type settlement of Pivdenne in the Zaliizna city council of Donetsk region, located 2 kilometers northeast of the city of Horlivka in Donetsk region. The command of the unit defending this settlement quickly assessed the situation and organized a fight. In a moment, the available fire assets opened fire on the enemy. However, under the cover of fire, a sabotage and reconnaissance group of militants approached close to the urban-type settlement of Pivdenne. The reserve group, which was already engaged in battle on the outskirts of Pivdenne, was led by platoon commander junior lieutenant Valerii Shishak. The battle lasted almost half an hour. During the fight, platoon commander junior lieutenant Valerii Shishak saw that a heavily wounded soldier of the reserve group, senior soldier Andrii Volos, needed help. Without hesitation, the commander rushed to save his subordinate. This is exactly what the terrorist sniper was waiting for. With a treacherous shot, the sniper fatally wounded Valerii Shishak. Without receiving medical assistance, senior soldier Andrii Volos later died from his severe wounds. He was buried in the cemetery of the city of Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk region.