Vitalii V. Shevchuk (Stokhid)

Senior Lieutenant Vitaliy Shevchuk (call sign Stohid) was killed in action on April 7, 2022, during the defense of Mariupol from Russian occupiers. The officer was 47 years old. Vitaliy Shevchuk was from the village of Pyrvanche in Volyn region. He graduated from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, where he stu at the Faculty of Physics. After that, he settled in the city of Lutsk. He worked at the Scientific Research and Expert Forensic Center. In 2018, the man decided to defend his homeland and joined the National Guard of Ukraine. He fought in the ranks of the separate special purpose unit "Azov". He was the deputy commander of the company. Since February 24, 2022, together with his comrades, he defended Mariupol and the Azovstal plant. "A smart and very loving father who always thought about his family. He was sincere and open, as well as stubborn and straightforward, always fighting for his ideas and justice, and sometimes getting into interesting adventures. He loved to constantly learn something new: either through books on the history of Ukraine and world history, or through communication with new people, or through various forms of training or even testing. He also loved various oddities, had a great imagination. He was knowledgeable in everything - from house design to building stairs, growing trees and flowers. He knew about mushrooms - he loved it when it was warm, the forest after the rain, the birds were singing, and then fried mushrooms. Of course, he cooked wonderfully (especially barbecue at the dacha, and for mom he always tried to cook her favorite dish - fried carp). Sports also played an important role in the life of dad and walrus hunting," - this is how his daughter described the deceased. The hero has not yet been buried. Vitaliy left behind his wife, daughter, and son. For his worthy and brave service, the officer was awarded the Orders of "Courage" III and II degrees (the second one posthumously).