Vitalii V. Melnyk (Kalush)

Soldier Vitaliy Melnyk (call sign Kalush) was killed on December 16, 2022, while performing a combat mission near the village of Torske in the Donetsk region. The defender received fatal injuries as a result of enemy mortar shelling. The warrior was 36 years old. Vitaliy was born in the village of Kudlativka, Ivano-Frankivsk region. He stuwas killed at the local school. Then he obtained the profession of a carpenter at the Kalush Higher Vocational School No. 7. He worked in his specialty. He loved nature and was passionate about hunting. During the full-scale war, Vitaliy defended Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the mortar battery of the Marine Battalion "Shtorm" of the 112th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces. "He was a highly motivated and well-trained serviceman, an example of exemplary performance of military duty. He enjoyed the respect of his comrades-in-arms. He was always polite and attentive to his comrades, helping them in the service. He showed courage and heroism, steadfastness and determination, and remained faithful to the military oath and the Ukrainian people until the last," the military unit said. "Vitaliy was a wonderful, kind, positive, and brave person. He never complained, never gave his relatives a reason to worry. He was a true warrior who defended his Homeland until his last breath. This terrible, ruthless war took his life, all his plans and dreams. It's painful to realize that he is no longer with us. He will forever remain in our hearts and thoughts," added his sister Tetyana. Vitaliy was buried in his native village. His mother Svitlana, father Volodymyr, and sister Tetyana did not wait for their defender to return from the war.