His little son will never hug his father again, because he was killed by the Russian occupiers. Rugby player Vitalii Tsurkalenko died while performing a combat mission.
He was born on 15 November 1993 in Kryvyi Rih. He studied at gymnasium № 9, graduated from the Kryvyi Rih Professional College of the National Aviation University, and then obtained his master’s degree from Kharkiv University. He worked at a metallurgical plant.
Vitalii’s life was closely connected with sports. He played rugby, played for the “Kryvyi Rih” team and even for the Ukrainian U-20 national team. For his success, he was awarded the title of Master of Sports of Ukraine.
After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, he voluntarily joined the territorial defense forces. He liberated Kherson region, defended Ukraine in Avdiivka sector, where he was wounded and treated in hospital. Later, he was sent to Sumy region. Unfortunately, on 31 March 2024, while performing a combat operation, 30-year-old Vitalii Tsurkalenko died…
His comrades say that he was a good platoon leader, a fearless defender and a cheerful person. According to his wife, Vitalii saved more than 10 lives on the front line. He did not wait for evacuation, but drove his own car to help the military, under the shelling. The Hero’s grandmother, parents, beloved wife and 5-year-old son were waiting for him at home…