Vasyl I. Karikh (Ramir)

Vasyl Karikh (call sign Ramir), a National Guard soldier, was killed on December 16, 2022, during a firefight with the occupiers in the area of the village of Kuzmyne in the Luhansk region. The defender was 31 years old. Vasyl was born in the village of Mankivka, Luhansk region. He graduated from school in the village of Honcharivka, where he moved with his family. While serving his conscription, he decided to connect his life with the army, so he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He participated in combat operations in the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas. During the full-scale war, Vasyl defended Ukraine in the ranks of the 15th separate Sloviansk regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine. He was a senior rifleman. His comrades-in-arms note that Ramir was a machine gunner from God. "We had a big age difference. When my brother was born, I went into adult life. I was more of a father to him than a brother. I always taught and reproached him, I didn't want him to step on the same rakes that I did in my youth. I regret it very much now. Younger brothers just need to be loved, life is short. The brother was killed as a hero. He was at the observation post and was the first to meet the enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group. The battle was unequal. May all enemies perish! Glory to Ukraine!" - said the older brother of the fallen Oleksandr. The defender was buried at the Forest Cemetery in Kyiv. Vasyl is survived by his mother, brother, and sister.