On March 31, 2026, a farewell ceremony was held in the village of Druhiv for the Defender of Ukraine, Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Yakovchuk.
This is reported by Rivne24
Vitaliy was born on January 24, 1985, in the village of Druhiv. After completing his education at Druhiv Secondary School, he continued his studies at Berezno Forestry College, where he earned the profession of forest master. After starting a family, Vitaliy moved to Kyiv, where he lived with his relatives.
Since March 2022, he served as a soldier and operator of the anti-tank missile systems unit of the mechanized battalion, defending Ukraine.
Vitaliy was killed on March 30, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission in the Zaporizhzhia direction. His comrades knew him by the call sign “Kashchey.” For 30 months, he was considered missing in action.
Today, Vitaliy returned to his native village for the last time — on a shield.
The farewell began at Independence Square in Berezno, after which the military convoy headed to the village of Druhiv. In the parental yard, family members, friends, and community residents bid farewell to the fallen warrior. The mourning procession walked through the village street to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, where a memorial service was held. Vitaliy was buried at the local cemetery with full military honors.
Vitaliy is survived by his mother Raisa Petrivna, wife Yuliya, sons Kyrylo and Matviy, as well as sisters Tetiana and Zhanna.