Staff Sergeant Vladyslav Vovk, known by the call sign “Akela,” was killed on April 15, 2022, in Mariupol. He sustained fatal injuries when enemy forces launched a targeted artillery and tank attack on the Azovstal steel plant. He was just 26 years old.
Vladyslav was born on February 23, 1996, in Mariupol. From childhood, he was passionate about cycling and loved playing football.
“He always loved to sing. From a young age, he sang in kindergarten and later at school. Eventually, we bought him a guitar—he had begged for one and taught himself to play. Later he started writing songs. At first, it didn’t go quite how he wanted, but over the years, he created full-fledged songs,” his mother Nataliia recalled.
Vladyslav completed eight grades at School No. 65 and then enrolled in the Electromechanical College to study Household Electrical Appliance Maintenance. He later earned a degree in energy engineering from the Pryazovskyi State Technical University. During his studies, he played guitar and sang in a band, writing songs and composing music—initially in rap style, later more lyrical. Some of his songs were even broadcast on local Mariupol radio.
“They performed in youth clubs. There was a recording studio at the university where Vlad studied. The band included guys from different countries, but in 2014, when the Russian invasion began, their parents took them home. The band broke up, but Vlad kept singing and writing music,” Nataliia said.
Vladyslav’s greatest passion was motorcycles. The biker community became a second family to him, and many of his friends from that circle still support his mother.
“His love for motorcycles showed when he was just a year old—he would often say the word ‘motorcycle’. He bought his first bike, a Yamaha Drag Star, in Kyiv in 2016 with his own money. He took meticulous care of it. He said he felt incredible freedom when riding,” his mother shared.
From 2016 to 2017, Vladyslav completed his mandatory military service. He didn’t tell his mother, not wanting to worry her. From January 2018, he served under contract for three years in the 1st Border Detachment, guarding Ukraine’s state borders. During that time, he proved to be a responsible and disciplined soldier, always diligent in his duties.
After completing his service, Vladyslav started his own business making handcrafted leather goods. He even managed to secure an international contract.
“Just before the full-scale invasion, he turned 26. It was the saddest birthday of his life—and, sadly, his last. I asked him how he wanted to celebrate, and he said, ‘I don’t want anything—no gifts, no guests, no dinner.’ As a soldier, he already understood what was coming, but he didn’t tell me. He always kept quiet about his service. I think he was protecting me from that nightmare. His friends didn’t ask him either; they just threw him a party. I gave him money—he really wanted to buy a new, trendy, expensive helmet,” Nataliia said.
With the start of the full-scale invasion, Vladyslav was called back to service. His mother, recovering from surgery, had to remain at home.
“February 24 was the last time I saw my only son. Before leaving, he hugged me tightly. ‘Everything will be fine. We won’t surrender our homeland. Mom, I love you,’ he said. That was one of the last messages I got from him. The very last one came on March 3—Vlad asked how I was doing,” she shared.
On March 7, while on duty in a residential area, the unit Vladyslav was part of engaged in a battle with Russian forces. The enemy had superior manpower and equipment and attempted to encircle the Ukrainian defenders. However, thanks to the decisive and coordinated actions of the border guards, the occupiers were forced to retreat.
Vladyslav was listed as missing in action for a long time. Only in 2023 was his mother officially informed of his death.
He was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage” III Class.
Akela was laid to rest on the Alley of Glory at the Lisove Cemetery in Kyiv.
He is survived by his mother, grandparents, godparents, uncles, cousins, a sister, and many friends.
At 9:00 a.m., a nationwide minute of silence is observed. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Heroes Memorial platform remember the fallen defenders from Donetsk region.