Vladyslav O. Horbunov

On June 20, 2022, in Donetsk region, 22-year-old athlete Vladislav Gorbunov was killed in action. He defended his native region from Russian occupiers and as a hero, performing a combat mission. In his peaceful life, Vladislav was a multiple champion of Donetsk region in rugby and a silver medalist of the championship of Ukraine. In 2021, he went to serve as a tank gunner in the 56th separate motorized infantry Mariupol brigade. Those who knew him remember Vladislav as a cheerful person, a good son and friend. Always smiling, kind, open, sincere. "A terrible news came this morning. Defending his native Ukraine, during the performance of a combat mission, my ward, a member of the Donetsk region rugby team, Vladislav Gorbunov, . He was only 22 years old. He was an extremely cheerful person, a good son, friend and athlete. Kingdom of Heaven, Vladik... Heroes do not die," wrote coach Igor Yurkin. "Vlad was the brightest person I know, with a good heart and soul. Sensitive, kind, positive, funny, purposeful. He spent his whole life doing sports, was a deserved champion of Ukraine. He wrote his own music and always dreamed of being famous. A person with whom it was impossible to quarrel, who always joked and was positive. He loved life and everything connected with it, constantly brought home animals from the street to feed and warm, even on duty showed me kittens with puppies to choose who we would take home after the war. We all still can't believe that our little angel is no longer with us," said Natalia, the girl of the deceased hero. Vladislav was buried in the city of Myrnohrad, Donetsk region. The hero left behind his parents and his beloved girl.