Vladyslav H. Pakholivetskyi

Captain 2nd Rank Vladyslav Pakholivetskyi (call sign Pakhlava) died on April 7, 2022, during the defense of Mariupol in the Donetsk region. Their group was shot at by an enemy tank. The defender did not live to see his 34th birthday. Vladyslav graduated from the P.S. Nakhimov Naval Academy in Sevastopol, and obtained the specialty of engineer-navigator. As a young lieutenant, he came to serve in Kerch. Later, he was appointed commander of a boat. In 2014, during the annexation of Crimea, he brought the vessel to mainland Ukraine. Then he said: "Why do I need this flag if it is not of our country?". He continued his service in Mariupol. With the start of the full-scale invasion, as part of the defense forces, he stood to protect the city. He was the deputy chief of staff - head of the department of operation and use of ship armaments. "Vlad dreamed of naval service since childhood. His grandfather was a submarine sailor, told his grandson about service in the fleet and let him try on his cap. Vlad had many other talents. He was attracted to the stage, he sang very well. But he chose service in the fleet. And he was proud to continue the dynasty of sailors. His boat, which he brought out of Crimea, was destroyed by enemy artillery a few months later. This happened near the village of Seidove. Vlad was the new generation of free Ukraine. And he died defending his country..." - said his wife Maria Pakholivetska. "Vlad adored his family. We met in Crimea, that's where he proposed. And the wedding was already in Berdyansk, when my husband started serving there. With the start of the full-scale invasion, Vlad sent me and our son to a safe place. He had a very strong connection with our son Illiusha, who was born in Mariupol. Our son now believes that his father has become a star in the sky," she added. During his military service, the officer received the award "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation", the badge "Cossack Cross". Posthumously, he was promoted to the rank of Captain 1st Rank and awarded the Order of Courage, 3rd degree. The body of Vladyslav was only able to be transported out in June 2022. The burial took place on August 17 at the Alley of Glory of the Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv. At home, the defender was awaited by his parents, wife, son and older sister.