Volodymyr P. Fialka (Fil)

32-year-old warrior Volodymyr Fialka (call sign Phil) was killed on March 23, 2023 near the village of Krohmalʼne in the Kharkiv region. During a combat mission, he received fatal injuries as a result of enemy tank shelling. Volodymyr was born in the village of Kozhychi, Lviv region. He graduated from the Ukrainian State University of Railway Transport. He was an employee of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Lviv region. He loved an active lifestyle. He ran, participated in many races, and was a member of one of the largest running clubs "ShypShyna Run Club". He loved the mountains. He repeatedly organized hikes in the Carpathians with friends and classmates, encouraging them to enjoy the picturesque natural trails and protected historical and cultural sites of his native land. On February 24, 2022, the man joined the defense of his country, joining the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 103rd separate brigade of territorial defense. He held the position of chief sergeant - commander of a mortar platoon. "Volodymyr was cheerful, sensitive, and full of life. He volunteered for the army, resigning from the police in the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion, as he considered the defense of the Motherland his duty," wrote his brother Ihor Fialka. "Volodya was a kind, sociable, reliable, and courageous man. He knew what he was fighting for and was killed for the future and the truth of our country," said family friend Diana Rozdolska. The military was buried in his native village. Volodymyr is survived by his parents, brother, sister, relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms. Posthumously, Junior Sergeant Volodymyr Fialka was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.