Soldier Vladyslav Ratnychenko, callsign “Radyk,” was killed on August 11, 2022, near the village of Malynivka in Pokrovsk district. While covering his unit’s advance, he sustained fatal injuries as a result of enemy mortar shelling. He was only 19.
Vladyslav was born in the city of Horlivka. In his youth, he moved with his family to Ternopil region. He graduated from the Koropets Regional Lyceum with advanced military and sports training. Later, he enrolled at the West Ukrainian National University, where he studied “Law Enforcement Activities.” He dreamed of entering a military academy and building a career in the army. For a time, he worked at Royal-Contract LLC in Ternopil.
Since 2020, he served his compulsory military service in the Separate Presidential Brigade named after Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. In April 2022, he signed a contract and remained in his unit. Soon afterward, he was deployed to the front to defend Ukraine from the invaders. He fought as a senior gunner in a grenade launcher platoon.
During his service, Vladyslav was awarded the Ministry of Defense decoration “For Exemplary Service” and the Order “For Courage” (3rd class, posthumously).
“A worthy son of his parents, a worthy son of the Motherland. We are proud of his sense of responsibility and loyalty to the oath to the people of Ukraine. He cared deeply about Ukraine’s fate. From childhood, Vladyslav knew he was a peacekeeper!” said his parents, Elina Ivanivna and Viktor Volodymyrovych.
The young defender was laid to rest at the Pantheon of Heroes in Mykulynetske Cemetery in Ternopil. Posthumously, he was awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Ternopil.”
The Hero is survived by his parents and sisters.
At 9:00 a.m. — a nationwide moment of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Heroes Memorial platform honor the fallen defenders from Donetsk region.