Vitalii M. Trofymchuk (Trofym)

Senior Sergeant Vitaliy Trofymchuk (call sign Trofym) was killed on February 11, 2023, in battle with the occupiers near the city of Vugledar in the Donetsk region. The defender was forever 41 years old. Vitaliy was born in the city of Sarny, Rivne region. From a young age, he was interested in weapons and had the goal of protecting people. And so it happened later. After completing his education, the man worked in law enforcement: in the Sarnensky District Police Department, the Katerynivka Correctional Colony, and later joined the ranks of the Kyiv Municipal Police. He was a very good artist. He loved to spend time with friends and children. He loved life and Ukraine. Trofym stood up to defend the Motherland from the very beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war. In 2015-2020, he participated in the ATO / JFO in Donbas. As part of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade, he fought in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in particular, he took part in the battles for the Svitlodarsk Bulge. During his service, he was awarded the following awards: "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation", "For Exemplary Performance of Official Duties", "Defender of the Native Land", and "Cross of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade". When the full-scale war began, Vitaliy immediately returned to the front line. As part of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians, he again fought against the occupiers. He was a squad commander and skillfully carried out all tasks. Comrades-in-arms remember him as a modest, sincere, loyal, and reliable friend with whom it was not scary to go on reconnaissance and into battle. "Vitalik was always a positive person. A good friend, son, and the best dad. He adored his children. Life sometimes twists adults so much that they get divorced, but even after the divorce, we maintained good friendly relations. And what a smile he had! I still dream of him smiling and cheerful... Vitalik was truly a patriot of his country! He defended our state since 2014, went through the ATO, saw a lot of pain, and was not afraid to look the enemy in the eye! And after the full-scale invasion, without hesitation, he went again to defend the Donetsk region. Unfortunately, that's where he was killed. He loved life, loved all of us... It is very painful to realize that Vitalik is no longer with us... We will not forget and will do everything to ensure that he is remembered. Eternal and bright memory to our Hero, who joined the heavenly army. We love, mourn, remember... Your eternal sleep is our eternal sorrow..." - wrote his ex-wife Tetyana. The hero was buried in his hometown. Vitaliy is survived by his parents, daughter Valeriya, son Kostiantyn, relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms.