Volodymyr I. Kliashtoforskyi (Kolumb)

24-year-old soldier Volodymyr Kliashtoforskyy (call sign Columbo) was killed on July 3, 2024 near the village of Novoiehorivka in the Luhansk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he received fatal injuries as a result of an enemy mine OZM-72 explosion. Volodymyr was born in the village of Nahirianka, Ternopil region. After school, he mastered the profession of a turner at the Ternopil Vocational School. He loved working with details. After completing his studies, he served in the army. On February 24, 2022, Volodymyr joined the ranks of the defenders. Initially, he served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He fought in the Kherson and Donetsk regions. He was awarded the "Golden Cross" and "For the Defense of Bakhmut" decorations. In 2023, he was transferred to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, where he took the position of a sapper in the engineering and sapper platoon. He carried out combat missions in the Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "He was the most positive person I've ever known. He loved this life, loved to live beautifully! No matter what I asked, his answer was always: 'I'm doing well,'" said the deceased's cousin Khrystyna. Volodymyr was buried in his native village. The defender left behind his parents, younger sister, girlfriend, other relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms.