In memory of Junior Sergeant Yuriy Tkachuk.
Yuriy was born in 1990 in the village of Karpivka in the Vinnytsia region. After finishing school, he pursued a degree in agronomy and worked as a tractor driver at a local agricultural firm.
1 “He dreamed of his children's happiness and wanted them to have everything they needed for it. Uncle was an exceptionally kind person; I remember he never walked past homeless animals left on the streets. He was very sincere and couldn't refuse to help. Everyone remembered him as sociable and friendly,” recalls his niece Anna.
2 Yuriy joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine back in 2014 when the ATO began, and from the first day of the full-scale invasion, he stood up to defend the country again. He participated in the liberation of Kherson and, along with his comrades, carried out the evacuation of children under fire from occupied territories.
“Comrades of various ages mostly called him ‘Dad’. But we never learned his real call sign,” the girl shares.
3 Yuriy held the position of commander of a combat vehicle in a mechanized battalion and held the rank of junior sergeant. For his displayed heroism and courage, he was awarded the Order of “For Courage” of the III degree.
“Among those honored today by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with State awards is our fellow countryman from the village of Karpivka - Tkachuk Yuriy Volodymyrovych! We are proud!” - this was how the award was announced in the Mohyliv-Podilskyi City Territorial Community.
4 On October 30, 2024, Yuriy's family received the heartbreaking news – during fierce battles in the Donetsk region, the junior sergeant gave his life for Ukraine.
Anna mentions that hundreds of people came to bid farewell to the fallen soldier, but the family was struck by new tragedy the day before - Yuriy's father passed away, unable to live until his son's funeral. Yuriy is survived by his wife, two children, and mother.
5 “Uncle will be remembered by all as an extraordinarily kind, welcoming, friendly, brave, and positive person, whom we will never forget,” says his niece.
The family has registered a petition on the President's website requesting that Yuriy Tkachuk be posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. You can add your voice via this link.
Eternal glory to the Hero!
Photo: Instagram annabrotska