Vitalii O. Zinchuk (Radii)

Senior soldier Vitaliy Zinchuk (call sign Radiy) was killed in the night of July 29, 2022 in Olenivka in the Donetsk region, when the Russian army blew up a barracks with Ukrainian prisoners of war. The hero was forever 25 years old. Vitaliy was born and lived in Dnipro. He graduated from 9th grade at school No. 34. In 2012, he became a student at the Dnipropetrovsk Vocational School No. 6, where he later obtained the profession of a tiler, mason-plasterer. All his life he dreamed of a military career. He was interested in the history of Ukraine and weapons. He was engaged in sports, loved to ride a bicycle. In 2017, he decided to fulfill his dream and signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Until 2021, he served in the 25th separate airborne brigade. He took part in the ATO / JFO. After the end of the contract, he became a warrior of the separate special forces unit of the NGU "Azov". From February 24, 2022, together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended Mariupol from the Russian invaders. In the spring, after fierce battles, the defenders of the city were taken prisoner, from where some of them ended up in Olenivka, where the enemy arranged that treacherous crime. For worthy service, Vitaliy was awarded the medal "For Military Service to Ukraine" and the Order of Courage of the III degree (posthumously). "My brother was an extraordinarily kind and sensitive person, he was always ready to help. Striving to defend the Motherland and improve his military skills, he ended up in Azov. I am proud of my younger brother, I have never met such a bright and sensitive person in my life," said the deceased's sister Oleksandra. On June 24, 2024, they said goodbye to Vitaliy at the Krasnopil cemetery in Dnipro. The defender is survived by his mother and sister.