Vitalii V. Stepaniuk (Vitas)

36-year-old soldier Vitaliy Stepanyuk (call sign Vitas) was killed on January 27, 2023 in the area of the village of Kuzmyne in the Luhansk region. He suffered a fatal explosive injury. Vitaliy was born in the village of Pidlistsi, Ternopil region. In 2002, he graduated from a rural school. Then he worked as a forestry assistant. In 2018, he obtained the profession of a car mechanic at the Kremenets Vocational Lyceum. Later, he mostly worked for earnings. He also worked as a baker. During the full-scale war, in July 2022, the man joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 111th separate brigade of the territorial defense. He underwent training courses as a MANPADS "Igla" gunner. He took part in battles in the Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "He was a good, sincere, loving brother, uncle and godfather to his nephews. Forever in our memory and in our hearts," said the deceased's sister Nadia Kyryk. Vitaliy was buried in his native village. He is survived by his parents Volodymyr Romanovych and Lyubov Illivna, sisters Nadia and Tetyana. The fighter was posthumously awarded the honorary badge "Steel Cross".