Viktor H. Shulik

The director of the lyceum and serviceman Viktor Shulik was killed in October 2022 during a battle with Russian occupiers near the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. The defender was 58 years old. Viktor was originally from the Luhansk region. He graduated from Lysychansk Pedagogical College and Luhansk State Pedagogical Institute. He worked as a history teacher for over 30 years. Later, he became the director of Popasna Lyceum No. 1. In the early days of the full-scale invasion, Viktor took up arms to defend his homeland by joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His son Denys also went to war with him and later sustained serious injuries. Viktor defended his native Donbas from the advance of Russian occupiers until his last breath. "Anyone who knew Viktor Hryhorovych Shulik knows that he was a very open and kind person, respected and dignified. The willful traits of a true Ukrainian warrior were considered perseverance, principledness, patriotism, courage, resilience, and so on..." wrote his friend Serhiy Kurinny. "Viktor and his team managed to do a lot for the school and the children. It was not just restored; various artistic initiatives came there... It was a true Ukrainian educational stronghold," wrote colleague Natalka Vorozhbyt. "Viktor Hryhorovych was a true patriot not just in words, but in deeds. He willingly collaborated with the military, conducting joint events for schoolchildren. There was even a special class in the school dedicated to the war, where various memorabilia were collected, and items were passed on by soldiers serving in our city. And this was valued; it was shared with the students so that they could understand the modern war," wrote Yuliya Kanzeba. "The war is ongoing for the fate and souls of people, for the children we teach. We are raising patriots and doing everything to defeat the enemy. I wish you health in this difficult year, to preserve your life, creativity, and all the best. And for all of us—victory," Viktor wrote on his page. The defender was buried in Kharkiv. Viktor is survived by his wife and children.