Vasyl V. Iliev (Floryst)

Junior Lieutenant Vasyl Ilyev (call sign Florist) was killed on May 3, 2023, while defending the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region from the occupiers. The officer was 24 years old. Vasyl was born in the village of Luhove in the Khmilnytskyi region. He lived in Khmilnytskyi. In 2020, he graduated from the Academy of the State Penitentiary Service with a degree in Psychology. He was very fond of hunting and dog breeding. On February 26, 2022, Vasyl voluntarily joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo. He was in the hottest spots throughout his service. In February 2023, he underwent training, where he received the rank of officer and became a platoon commander. According to his comrades-in-arms, Vasyl was a very courageous warrior, capable of self-sacrifice. A vivid example of his steadfast character is the case when Vasyl covered his comrade with his own body from the explosion of a grenade. "Vasyl was a very courageous warrior, capable of self-sacrifice. A person of incredible courage and strength of character. A patriot. One can talk about him endlessly. The best person, the hope of the family, a faithful friend, and a worthy warrior. I sincerely believe that if everyone on the war were like Vasylko, the war would have ended long ago," wrote the officer's fiancée, Anastasia. The defender was buried in the Alley of Glory of the city cemetery in Khmilnytskyi. At home, Vasyl was awaited by his parents, sister, and fiancée.