Vitaliy Kolomiyets, a participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year – 2026” competition in the “Heart of Victory” category
A native of the village of Ksenivka in Donetsk Oblast, Vitaliy Kolomiyets went from being a worker at the Mariupol giants “Azovmash” and “Azovstal” to a battle-hardened war veteran. The discipline instilled by working with metal and his work ethic later became the foundation of his unwavering resilience on the front lines.
In 2016, Vitaliy consciously chose the path of a defender by joining the ranks of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade. As part of that unit, he endured the hell of the ATO and the Joint Forces Operation, and was on combat duty in Maryinka when the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. This was followed by years of fierce fighting in the Siversk area, where he and his comrades held back the enemy’s onslaught.
Over ten years of continuous service, Vitalii Kolomiets demonstrated exceptional bravery, for which he was awarded the Order “For Courage” (3rd Class), the “For Valor” distinction from the “Liman” Operational-Tactical Group, the “Cross of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade,” and the Minister of Defense’s “Defender of Ukraine” award.
In April 2026, Vitalii was demobilized due to family circumstances. Today, he lives in Lubny in the Poltava region and works at the “Lubnymash” plant. His life story is an example of steely endurance, loyalty to duty, and the indomitable Ukrainian spirit—both on the front lines and in peacetime work.