Vasyl S. Shlei (Vietier)

30-year-old captain Vasyl Shley (call sign Veter) was killed on July 17, 2022, in Donbass. The officer's life was cut short during a mortar shelling near the village of Verkhnekamenskoye. Vasyl was born in the city of Khotyn, Chernivtsi region. After the 8th grade of the local school, he entered the Kamianets-Podilskyi Lyceum with enhanced military and physical training. In 2013, he graduated from the Kamianets-Podilskyi State Agrarian and Technical University. In April 2014, Vasyl decided to defend his native country. He signed a contract for military service in the 80th separate airborne assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Initially, he was the deputy commander of the company for material and psychological support, later performed the duties of the company commander. During his 8 years of service, the man was repeatedly awarded, including the Medal "For Military Service to Ukraine" in 2015 and the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi III degree in 2019. In 2015, Vasyl met a medic Mariana. Sympathy arose between them. In 2016, the lovers got married, and a year later their first child was born. During the full-scale war, Vasyl continued to defend Ukraine in the ranks of his native brigade, holding the position of head of combat training. "My husband was always a reliable protection and support for me. He was cheerful, sincere, brave, fair, and responsible. Vasya had authority among comrades and subordinates, they listened to and respected him. Since 2014, he has been through all the hottest spots. He never chased awards. He always said that the best award is the life we are fighting for," said the deceased's wife Mariana. The officer was buried in the Alley of Glory of the Central Cemetery in Chernivtsi. Vasyl left behind his parents, wife, and son. Posthumously, he was awarded the Medal "For the Glory of Chernivtsi".