Vitalii V. Kobets (Tiapa)

24-year-old Senior Lieutenant Vitaliy Kobets (call sign Tyapa) was killed on March 5, 2023, during the defense of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. The officer, together with his tank crew, was on a combat mission when they came under fire from an enemy drone. The entire crew was killed. Vitaliy was born in the village of Richytsia, Volyn region. He lost his parents at an early age. He studied at the local school. Then he chose the path of a military man and entered the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny in Lviv. He loved to joke and impersonate famous people. His friends gave him the call sign Dzydzio. After graduation, the young officer was assigned to the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar". He commanded a tank platoon. He participated in the Joint Forces Operation. He was awarded the "Steel Cross" badge for the successful completion of combat missions. From the first days of the full-scale war, Tyapa, together with his comrades-in-arms, was at the forefront and successfully destroyed the enemy, defending his native country. "Life did not spare him... He became an orphan at an early age, and his older sister and brother, who raised him, also died. But he always smiled, saw the positive in everything, knew how to support, believed in victory with all his heart. He was sensitive, his love was enough for everyone. A true patriot of Ukraine. His comrades-in-arms say that he had a good sense of humor and even in difficult moments, thanks to him, they smiled," said the deceased's cousin Yana. "It is very difficult to come to terms with the sad news. My ward, Senior Lieutenant Vitaliy Kobets, died... He was an orphan. A person of a beautiful soul, an open and kind heart. There are no words to convey the sadness and pain that has touched the people who knew him. Rest in peace, Falcon!" wrote Petro Kokhanyuk. "Vitaliy was a cheerful guy, a true friend who made plans for the future, dreamed of their realization, but it didn't work out... The war with the horde took the life of a young patriot. When they say that the best are dying, it's about him. Eternal memory and honor to you, Vitaliy! Heroes never die... They remain in our hearts forever. I had the honor of being your class teacher," wrote Iryna Sokol. The officer was buried in his native village. Vitaliy is survived by his sister, relatives, and friends.