Vitalii A. Zakharchenko (Tool)

44-year-old soldier Vitaliy Zakharchenko (call sign TOOL) was killed on September 12, 2023, in a battle near the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. While trying to rescue a comrade from the occupiers' artillery shelling, he himself received a fatal wound. Vitaliy was born and lived in Poltava. He obtained the profession of oil and gas well driller at the Poltava Professional College of Oil and Gas of the National University "Poltava Polytechnic named after Yuri Kondratyuk". He worked at the LLC "Poltava Enterprise of Drilling Works". He had a literary talent, leaving behind deep poems filled with life wisdom. He had a gift for drawing and sketching. He loved to listen to rock and alternative music, read prose and poetry. In his free time, he went fishing. His hobbies also included traveling. On March 12, 2022, Vitaliy, following the call of his heart, joined the ranks of the airborne assault troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 71st separate rifle brigade. He was a reconnaissance sapper. After gaining combat experience, he proved himself to be one of the best and took the position of a middle-level commander. During his service, the soldier was awarded the "Veteran of War" badge, the President of Ukraine's award "For the Defense of Ukraine," and certificates of honor. "Our fearless Hero, a part of me and our daughter. Thank you for you. Thank you for what you brought into our lives. Our warrior was and remains a unique person, the most honest I have ever known. We love and are proud of you forever. Heroes never die," wrote the wife of the fallen Olena. The warrior was buried at the Zaturinsky cemetery in the Poltava region. Vitaliy is survived by his parents, sister, wife, and daughter.