Vitalii Rymaruk, a Ukrainian athletics champion and officer of the elite “Omega” special unit, was killed in action fighting against Russian invaders. His life was cut short on April 17, 2025, in the Pokrovsk sector of Donetsk Oblast during a combat mission. He was 26 years old.
A serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine and a distinguished track and field athlete, Vitalii was born on September 13, 1998, in the village of Deliatyn, Ivano-Frankivsk region. He graduated from the local secondary school and later from the Lviv State University of Physical Culture and Sports.
In his athletic career, he earned the title of Ukrainian youth champion and was a medalist at the junior level. Until the full-scale invasion, he continued training and competing in national championships, specializing in discus throw.
With the onset of the war, he joined the ranks of Ukraine’s defenders. He served as an officer in the airborne assault group of the 4th Separate Counter-Sabotage Unit of the Omega Special Forces Center within the National Guard of Ukraine. As part of this elite formation, he carried out sabotage counteraction and assault operations on some of the most dangerous frontlines.
Vitalii is survived by his wife, a young daughter, his father, and two brothers.
Eternal memory. Heroes never die.