Vasyl V. Hnachuk (Petrovych)

26-year-old Chief Sergeant Vasyl Hnatchuk was killed on May 4, 2022, in the area of the village of Prudyanka in the Kharkiv region. The vehicle he was in hit a landmine during the evacuation of the wounded and dead from the battlefield. Vasyl was born in the village of Klivodyn in the Chernivtsi region. He stu at Klivodyn School and completed his secondary education at the Stavchansky general education institution. He dreamed of building a house in his native village near the forest and hosting many guests. An unfulfilled dream of Vasyl's was a trip to Zaporizhzhia — he very much wanted to visit Khortytsia Island and immerse himself in Cossack spirit. He served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the age of 18. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and battles in Donbas. For exemplary service and professional performance of duties, he was repeatedly awarded by the command, including the "Sign of Honor of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine," the honorary badge "For Exemplarity in Military Service" of the 3rd degree, the commemorative badge "Participant of ATO," the "Cossack Cross," the President of Ukraine's award "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation," and the "Defender of the Fatherland" medal. At the beginning of the full-scale war, Vasyl served in the 8th Separate Mountain Assault Battalion of the 10th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Together with his comrades, he repelled the Russian occupiers' advance on the front lines from the very first day. "Vasyl was a very brave and courageous warrior. At 18, he signed a contract to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine; since 2014, he had been a participant in the ATO — defending our land from invaders. He was smart, reliable, sincere, just, the best father in the world to his son, whom he loved unconditionally and brought every award he earned because he did everything for his son's better future. He was a worthy person and served as an example for many..." said Larysa, the wife of his brother. The defender was buried in his native village. Vasyl left behind a 3-year-old son, Eduard. On October 14, 2022, a memorial plaque was unveiled and consecrated at Klivodyn School in honor of former graduate Vasyl Hnatchuk.