Vasyl M. Shliakhovchuk (Shliakhta)

47-year-old senior soldier Vasyl Shliakhovchuk (call sign Shliakhta) was killed on November 24, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission in the area of the village of Synkivka, Kharkiv region. He received fatal injuries during enemy artillery shelling. Vasyl was born in the village of Kolesnyky, Rivne region. After completing 9 grades, he obtained the profession of a carpenter. He then served his conscription in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After completing his service, he worked at various enterprises and organizations in the region, including in forestry and construction. He had many hobbies: fishing, hunting. He read a lot, his favorite genre was science fiction, fantasy. At school, he was interested in history. He loved to read articles and books on similar topics. He loved to cook and did it very well. In 2015, Vasyl was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine and fought in the ATO. He served in the 36th separate marine brigade, then in the 128th separate mountain assault brigade. Later, he chose the 14th separate mechanized brigade, where he served under contract until the start of the full-scale invasion. He held the position of senior shooter. During his years of service, he mastered all types of weapons in the unit and skillfully used them. From February 24, 2022, he continued to defend Ukraine from the occupiers along with his comrades-in-arms. During his service, the military was awarded the distinctions "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation", "Participant of the ATO", "Marine Corps of Ukraine", "War Veteran - Participant of Combat Operations", the award of the commander of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the commemorative award "Prince's Cross of the Hero "Forever in the ranks" (posthumously). "My brother was a Ukrainian to the tips of his fingers. We have a big age difference, my brother was 47 and I was 26. He was a brother, a father, a friend to me, and I feel his loss very much. All my steps are the merit of Vasyl. Since he grew up without a father, he was very hardworking and determined. He was a family man, kind, wise and very intelligent. He was dedicated to his work and did it very well. His family life did not work out very well, so he lived with me and my mother. He was a little over a year old when his father was killed, so my mother raised him alone. Vasyl had clear views on life, a clear national idea. He had a great sense of humor. He was very empathetic, friendly, sociable. He was married, then waited for a grandson from his elder son..." said the deceased's sister Tetiana. The hero was buried in the village of Brodivske, Rivne region. Vasyl is survived by his mother Zinaida Stepanivna, sister Tetiana, sons Mykola and Yurii, and daughter Yuliia.