Vitalii V. Benchak (Tur)

Soldier Vitaliy Benchak (call sign Tur) was killed on October 1, 2022, near the village of Terny in Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, the fighter sustained fatal injuries as a result of an enemy airstrike. The defender was 41 years old. Vitaliy was born in the village of Teresva in the Transcarpathian region. He graduated from the local school with a gold medal. He obtained a degree in management and economics from Mukachevo Technological Institute. He worked as the director of LLC "Mair-Holzvaren-Teresva." From a young age, he was a member of the nationalist movement as part of the Ukrainian Youth Association and the Youth Nationalist Congress. He was the head of the Transcarpathian branch of the Youth Nationalist Congress. In peacetime, he actively participated in the community life of the district and the settlement. He conducted boxing training for youth and organized hiking trips in the mountains. He read spiritual and historical literature and always attended church. He participated in the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. In 2014-2015, he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas. Later, he engaged in active community and volunteer work, and was repeatedly elected as a local council deputy. He was a patron of many publishing and educational projects. was killed On the first day of the full-scale war, Vitaliy volunteered for the ODF "Carpathian Sich." Later, he became a serviceman of the 49th Separate Rifle Battalion "Carpathian Sich" as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He participated in battles for Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. "He had great hope and a desire to achieve a great victory and liberate our land from the occupiers. He was last home in September, just a few days before his death. He could have chosen not to return to the front, as he was not mobilized, but he said, 'If not me, then who?' He promised to come home with victory. But it was not meant to be. On the 220th day of the war, an airstrike took his life near Lyman. Vitaliy had a sincere and open heart, never deceived, was just, and knew how to support and help. A wonderful family man, loving son, beloved husband, and father. A brave warrior, a person with a firm political and Christian position. Through his life, he set an example for many. He went to war so that his children, whom he loved immensely, could grow up under peaceful skies, in a free and independent country. For this, he gave the most precious thing — his life. We believe that Ukraine will win and become even better. And the death of our heroes will not be in vain. Heroes do not die as long as the memory of them lives in our hearts," said the wife of the fallen, Yaroslava. The warrior was buried in his native village. Vitaliy is survived by his parents, wife, and two children.