Vitalii M. Luchka (Kum)

Sergeant Vitaliy Luchka (call sign Kum) was killed on March 26, 2022 near the village of Blahodatne in the Mykolaiv region. While carrying out a combat mission, the soldier received fatal injuries during enemy artillery shelling. The defender was 37 years old. Vitaliy was a native and resident of Kalush, Ivano-Frankivsk region. In 2011, he graduated from the Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas with a degree in "Oil and Gas Field Equipment" and received the qualification of mechanical engineer. He had always dreamed of military service. In 2006-2007, he served his conscription. In 2018-2020, he worked as the head of the paramilitary security at the Kalush CHP. Vitaliy enjoyed military gatherings and training at training grounds. In 2021, the man decided to fulfill his dream. He went to serve under a contract with the Kalush District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support. During the full-scale war, Vitaliy decided to go to the front. He became a soldier of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great. He performed the duties of the commander of a grenade launcher platoon. "A beloved husband, a caring father, the best son and brother. He was a pillar and support for us and our daughter. His smile and jokes always gave hope that everything would be fine... always. He never sulked, always smiling, always in a hurry, never had time to play with the child, wherever we were, we were always together. He wanted to achieve great heights in life, went to his goal, bravely straightening his shoulders. He dreamed of being a hero after the end of the war and was proud that he was Ukrainian, a patriot of his land," said the warrior's wife Khrystyna. The serviceman was buried in the Alley of Glory in his hometown. At home, Vitaliy was awaited by his parents, wife and daughter.