Vitalii A. Kozlovskyi (Snaiper)

Senior Sergeant Vitaliy Kozlovskyi (call sign Sniper) was killed on November 2, 2023 near the village of Pershotravneve in the Kharkiv region. While carrying out a combat mission, the soldier came under enemy artillery fire and received fatal injuries. He would have turned 47 on November 15. Vitaliy was born in the village of Zabolottia, Volyn region. He graduated from the Starovyzhve vocational school, obtaining the qualifications of electrician and driver. He served in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. After being discharged, he went abroad to work. He was willing to take on any job and was successful at it. He was a good painter and had a developed imagination, so he brought all his ideas to life. He loved motorcycles and animals. During the full-scale Russian invasion, the man joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and went to the front. He fought as part of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman. He was a sniper. "He was a caring and loving dad, a beloved husband and a good friend. Kind, polite, he never left his acquaintances in trouble, always helped as much as he could. People with such a soul are very rare. He was a true patriot, so he went to defend us and our country without hesitation. He repeatedly saved his comrades-in-arms under fire. He was a reliable and good comrade, even the commander said that such people are very rare in life. When people heard about the death of my dad, they said that 'the golden hands went to heaven'. We miss him very much, we grieve for him and it is difficult for us to bear this endless pain," said the deceased's daughter Yulia. The soldier was buried in his native village. Vitaliy is survived by his mother, wife and two children.