Volodymyr Ya. Smuk (Vikinh)

Senior soldier Volodymyr Smuk (call sign Viking) was killed on January 8, 2023, during the assault near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. The warrior was 31 years old. Volodymyr was born in the village of Khorosnytsya, Lviv region. He graduated from Lviv Vocational School No. 20. In August 2014, the man was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Later, he became a contract soldier and dedicated his life to protecting the Motherland. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) / Joint Forces Operation (JFO). During the full-scale Russian invasion, the man served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo. He held the position of chief sergeant - the commander of the engineer-sapper platoon's engineer-sapper squad. During his service, Volodymyr was awarded many decorations, including "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation", "For Exemplary Military Service" of the III degree, and the "Cossack Cross" of the II degree. "Our childhood passed together. I remember all the carefree summer days, how we grew up together. I would very much like his soul to find peace and tranquility, and his memory on earth to live forever," said the deceased's cousin Oksana. The hero was buried in the village of Bortyatyn, Lviv region. Volodymyr is survived by his parents, younger brother, fiancée, other relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms.