Vitalii M. Lebediuk (Umka)

Sergeant Vitaliy Lebediuk (call sign Umka) was killed on August 31, 2022 in the area of Biloghirka in the Kherson region. While carrying out a combat mission, he sustained fatal injuries during an enemy mortar attack. The defender was 32 years old. Vitaliy was born in Ochakiv, Mykolaiv region. He stu at the Mykolaiv Agrarian University, but left his studies to go to work. He worked in the construction industry. In his free time, he loved fishing. From the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion, the man joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and went to defend his native country. He served in the 46th Separate Air Assault Brigade. He was a squad commander in the 67th Rifle Battalion. "He was the best, a loving son and brother, a beloved boyfriend and a good friend. Without hesitation, he went to defend his family, his home, his country. He was cheerful, with a good sense of humor, and had many friends," said the mother of the fallen Lyubov Viktorivna. The soldier was buried in his hometown. The defender is survived by his parents, sister, nieces, and a beloved girlfriend. Vitaliy Lebediuk was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.