In memory of the scout Vitaliy Kulinych.
"In defending Ukraine, the volunteer, ATO veteran, scout, and Kolomyia resident Vitaliy Kulinich, with the call sign 'Kuliya,' was killed," – reported Oksana Vandych, the head of the ATO/OOS participant assistance center for the Kolomyia district, on April 11, 2022.
5 After the onset of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, Vitaliy joined the ranks of the volunteer unit "Sonechko." He perished while carrying out a raid mission to clear settlements of occupying forces, destroying another column of Russian paratroopers.
Vitaliy was born on September 28, 1992, in Ivano-Frankivsk region. He was always remembered as attentive, conscientious, and hardworking. People also recall his ever-genuine smile.
Local resident Daria Marunyak from the village of Hrushev remembers Vitaliy as a child. Their families were friends, although they lived in different villages. "He was a wonderful boy, polite and friendly. It was pleasant to talk to him. I knew him less as an adult. But he was a patriot; that's how he was raised. He wanted Ukraine to be the way he envisioned it," – quotes Daria “Suspilne.”
6 Vitaliy's friend Olga Pnivchuk states that he always respected his parents and was a pillar of support for his family.
"He was an incredible person, kind and sincere, always ready to help, someone you could rely on. I don't know anyone who didn't love and respect Vitalik. His death is truly a significant loss not just for Kolomyia but for all of Ukraine. It’s very sad that the best among us are leaving," – says Olga.
In 2014-2015, Vitaliy participated as a volunteer in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in eastern Ukraine. With the beginning of the full-scale war, the young man joined the volunteer battalion "Sonechko," a special forces unit of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The warrior defended Kyiv region alongside his comrades, where fierce battles were fought in March 2022.
7 Comrade Oleg Svishchuk knew Vitaliy since the ATO days. They fought together in Pisky. He shared that he was Vitaliy's commander in the "Right Sector" and later in the Volunteer Ukrainian Corps. "An extraordinary fighter; a person with a broad soul; a true friend who executed all orders clearly and skillfully," – recalls Oleg.
Vitaliy was killed on March 31, 2022, during a brutal battle. The bodies of the fallen soldiers could only be retrieved after the Russians were driven out of Kyiv region.
8 The funeral service for Vitaliy Kulinich took place on April 8, 2022.
However, it was later discovered that there had been a misunderstanding. "The first months of the full-scale invasion were extremely difficult for everyone. Unfortunately, due to the desecration of bodies by the occupiers and human error, on April 8, another hero was buried in Kolomyia, while Vitaliy's body remained in a Kyiv morgue all this time. Through DNA testing, it was established that a mistake had been made. Now, after resolving all legal procedures and reburial of another soldier, Vitaliy Kulinich will indeed return home," – reported Kolomyia Mayor Bohdan Stanislavskyi on June 11, 2024.
Such news could break a mother's heart. However, Vitaliy's mother passed away before the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. Grief enveloped his father, sister, beloved, comrades, and acquaintances.
9 The funeral procession with soldier of the "Sonechko" battalion Vitaliy Kulinich arrived in Kolomyia on June 12. After a prayer service, a mourning march took place through the city center. The defender was reburied at the cemetery in Hrushev village.
On November 8, 2024, a memorial sign was unveiled in the village of Zabuchchya in Kyiv region in honor of the eight heroes who fell there on March 31, 2022, who took up arms from the first day of the full-scale invasion.
Together with Vitaliy Kulinich, those who fell included: Mykola Kuryk "Kalash" from Ternopil, Mykhailo Horblyanskyi "Dred," Ivan Antolyk "Stalker," and Yaroslav Romanov "Samurai" from Transcarpathia, Taras Kryt "Krot" from Lviv, Andriy Romanov "Trainer" from Lutsk, and Oleksiy Tsybko "Rugby Player" from Smila.
0 The establishment of the memorial sign was initiated by Ms. Sofia from Ternopil – the mother of one of the fallen soldiers, Mykola Kuryk. The memorial sign depicts a map of Ukraine, with a trident at the center resembling the sun, from which rays extend to the volunteer defenders.
"The 'Sonechko' memorial has become an important element of our community's memory, a reminder of how dear peace and tranquility are on our land. This is a place where we will always remember our Heroes, those who gave their lives for us," – emphasizes in the Mykhailivsk-Rubezhivsk starostyn district, which includes Zabuchchya.
Geographically, this is at the entrance to the Irpin city territorial community. A location where fierce battles with the Russians took place in March as they approached Kyiv.
1 Eternal glory and gratitude to everyone who halted the Russian occupiers on Ukrainian soil at the cost of their own lives! Words of thanks to the defenders will always resonate in every corner of our nation.
Photo: Facebook page of Vitaliy Kulinich, Mykhailivsk-Rubezhivsk starostyn district