Vladyslav V. Solonskyi (Osyp)

Senior Lieutenant Vladislav Solonsky (call sign Osip) died in captivity on the night of July 29, 2022, as a result of a terrorist attack in the colony of the temporarily occupied village of Olenivka in the Donetsk region. The officer was 47 years old. Vladislav was born and raised in the village of Osypenko in the Zaporizhzhia region. He graduated from Berdyansk State Pedagogical University and the Zaporizhzhia Police School. In civilian life, he was a private entrepreneur engaged in the installation of satellite antennas. He was passionate about gardening and fishing, with his latest hobby being grape growing. The man was a participant in the Revolution of Dignity. When the war began in 2014, he immediately went to the military enlistment office, but was refused due to a back injury. However, this did not stop him — he joined the then volunteer battalion "Azov." Since then, he participated in the ATO / JFO. From February 24, 2022, together with his comrades, he took part in the defense of Mariupol and the Azovstal plant. Vladislav held the position of logistics officer in the rear support group. He endured fierce battles and bravely withstood all conditions. After a powerful airstrike by the occupiers, he wrote to his wife: "I have lost all my friends who were with me these months." In the spring, while going into captivity from Azovstal, Vladislav repeatedly told his beloved that third countries were guaranteeing their safety, that in a few months all defenders of Mariupol would be home. At that time, he managed to send a package to his wife containing his phone, awards, all documents, and the wedding ring he never took off. The last text message from an unknown number was sent by the officer to his wife on July 26: "I hug you tightly, love you endlessly. I am waiting for our meeting." Two days later, he died. During his service, the officer was repeatedly awarded, including the "Defender of Mariupol," "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation," and "For Courageous Service." "Our daughter and I are proud of you and mourn. You will forever be in our hearts and memories," wrote the hero's wife. Vladislav was farewelled in November 2022. He was buried at Berkovetske Cemetery in Kyiv. The defender is survived by his wife Svitlana and daughter Sofia. He was posthumously awarded the Order of "For Courage" of the III degree.