Vitalii D. Svishchov (Rio)

37-year-old soldier Vitaliy Svishchov (call sign Rio) was killed on December 26, 2023 in the area of the village of Serebryanka in the Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he sustained a fatal injury during an enemy strike by a guided air bomb. Vitaliy was born in Khmilnytskyi. He graduated from the local Vladimir Kozubnyak Collegium with a gold medal. During his studies, he practiced judo and played football. In 2004, he entered the Faculty of Electrical Power Engineering at the National Technical University of Ukraine "Kyiv Polytechnic Institute named after I. Sikorsky". He also obtained a master's degree in Management. He played for the faculty's football team. After completing his education, he worked as an equipment sales manager, carried out project work, and later held the position of commercial director of the enterprise. He was a professional in his field. Throughout his life, he had many friends and loved spending time in nature. He adored fishing, table tennis, football, and traveling. After getting married and having a daughter, and then a son, he devoted all his free time to his family. He participated in the Revolution of Dignity. During the full-scale invasion, the man enlisted in the Khmilnytskyi Territorial Defense Forces to defend his Homeland. But he did not pass the selection. So he began volunteering and at the same time acquiring knowledge in UAV management and tactical medicine. Having acquired the necessary skills, he passed an interview and signed a contract with the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Khartiya". He underwent training in Germany. Later, together with his comrades-in-arms, he fought in the Donetsk direction, in the area of the Serebryanske forestry. "Vitaliy was never afraid of anything. He was a courageous and brave warrior. He couldn't sit idle, he helped provide his unit with the necessary equipment, transportation, and military uniforms. Vitaliy was kind, wise, and fair. He was a wonderful father, a loving husband, an attentive son, and a loyal friend. Everyone who knew him will remember Vitaliy with a smile on his face and a fire in his eyes," his wife Oleksandra said. The warrior was buried on the Alley of Heroes of the cemetery in his hometown. Vitaliy is survived by his mother, brother, wife, son, and daughter. He was posthumously awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Khmilnytskyi".