Valerii V. Rysinskyi (Rys)

45-year-old paratrooper Valeriy Rysynskyi (call sign Rys) was killed on March 14, 2022, near the village of Kam'yanka in the Kharkiv region. While carrying out a combat mission, he came under enemy mortar fire and sustained fatal injuries. Valeriy was born in the village of Dmytrivka in the Kyiv region. He graduated from the local secondary school and worked as a driver-dispatcher. He loved sports, was passionate about arm wrestling and kettlebell lifting, and was a multiple district champion in arm wrestling. He also adored playing football and participated in local competitions. He had a great love for dogs, training and raising a family shepherd. In 2014, as part of the National Guard of Ukraine, he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas and received the Presidential Award of Ukraine "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation." During the full-scale war, he once again stood up to defend his homeland. This time, Valeriy joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, fighting against the occupiers in the ranks of the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade. "My husband was a wonderful person. He loved his family very much and raised his sons. He was a caring person who always came to help when needed. He was born into a large family with eight children, lost his mother at a young age, and became a support for his younger sisters and brothers during his teenage years. When the full-scale war began, he went to the military recruitment office without hesitation and said, 'Who, if not me?'. He wanted our children to live in a free country and not know what war was. He was a true patriot. I loved my husband very much; he was my wings. We had great dreams for our future life that, unfortunately, will never be realized," said Valentyna Rysynska. The hero was buried at the Berkovetske Cemetery in Kyiv. At home, Valeriy was awaited by his wife, two sons, sisters, and brothers. Posthumously, soldier Valeriy Rysynskyi was awarded the Order of Courage III degree.