Vitalii P. Otroshchenko (Khyzhak)

Seaman Vitaliy Otroshchenko (call sign Khyzhak) was killed on June 11, 2023 near the settlement of Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he came under enemy fire and received fatal injuries. On September 25, the defender would have turned 39 years old. Vitaliy was born in Khabarovsk (Russia). From early childhood until the age of 22, he lived with his family in the village of Radolivka, Zaporizhia region. There he finished the local school and received secondary education. Then he moved to the Zhytomyr region, living in the village of Stari Vorobi. He worked in various jobs, including as a driver, tractor driver, and welder. Before the invasion, he was logging in the Pryvitnianske forestry of the SE "Malynskyi Lishosp APK". He was interested in cars and loved fishing. During the full-scale war, the man joined the ranks of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the newly formed 37th Separate Marine Brigade. He was a grenade launcher in the assault company "Faithful Always". "I am proud of my husband! He is my Hero, he is my pride! The best husband! The best dad! He was always positive and smiling, supported me in everything! He loved life and dreamed of returning with victory," said Maria Otroshchenko. The marine was buried in the village of Stari Vorobi in the Zhytomyr region. At home, his wife and two sons, who were 12 and 3.5 years old at the time of his death, were waiting for him.