“RIVNYI”

January 29 is the birthday on earth of a beloved husband, son, brother, and the best dad. Officer Tkatchuk Yurii’s “Officer’s Credo” “I am an officer, a commander of soldiers, and I will always act in a way that benefits the corps, military service, and my country, regardless of the situation I find myself in,” — this is an excerpt from a kind of oath called the “Officer’s Credo,” taken by the commanders of the 2nd Battalion of the 12th Brigade of the legendary “Azov.” Yurii Tkatchuk, a platoon commander of the 2nd Assault Company, fully lived by the core provisions of this oath. He was from the village of Lypky, where he was born on 29 January 1984. He completed nine grades there, and finished secondary school in nearby Nevirkiv. He trained as an electric and gas welder at Rivne Technical College. Yurii Tkatchuk’s path to service in “Azov” was not easy. Before that, he took part in the ATO in 2014–2015, defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity in Donetsk Oblast as part of the 28th Brigade of Operational Command “Pivden” (“South”). Later came the attempt to provide for a young family with two small children—working abroad and on construction sites in Kyiv. At the age of 35, he made the decision to connect his life with the reformed Ukrainian police, in order to bring the principles of the rule of law into public life. At Hoscha Police Station No. 5 of the Rivne District Police Department, he served in the Patrol Police Response Sector. At the same time, he studied at the Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, graduating in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in “Law Enforcement Activity.” The full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation pushed Yurii toward the decision to once again defend his country. In the very first days, he contacted the “Azov” command, offering to take part in the defense of Mariupol, where his maternal relatives lived, but he was refused as a police officer. When, in early 2023, the “Liut” (“Fury”) brigade began to be formed from among personnel of the National Guard of Ukraine, he voluntarily joined its ranks. He later ended up in “Azov” due to a combination of objective and subjective reasons. There, when asked what callsign to register under, he gave the one he used during the ATO — “Tkatch.” He was immediately refused, because the Russians know all ATO veterans’ callsigns. For some reason, no other strong word came to mind. One of the commanders helped him: — You can choose the name of your hometown or village. And indeed—why not use the name of the city where he had studied and worked a little, a crossroads of all his life’s roads, and the most beautiful of all the foreign cities he had seen? — Write down “Rivnyi.” He commanded a platoon during battles in the Serebrianske Forest in Luhansk Oblast. After completing military retraining, he confirmed his combat officer rank of Junior Lieutenant. “My motto is competence,” — this line from an officer’s honor code was what Commander “Rivnyi” considered most important in wartime. With combat experience against a familiar enemy, he constantly expanded his knowledge of the enemy’s new methods and tactics, as well as the newest types of weapons. From his service in the police, he carried over a command principle of action. That is why he prepared his subordinates so meticulously for every movement to positions. He paid special attention to each fighter’s responsibility for the condition of their personal weapon. “I can’t explain and organize fighters the way ‘Rivnyi’ did,” admitted the company commander, a career officer who came to the grave of his fallen comrade. “I will be faithful to those I serve with — seniors, colleagues, and subordinates,” — these points from the oath became decisive in his daily relationships with his brothers-in-arms. And because he himself could not tolerate falseness or showmanship, and was purposeful and straightforward, he demanded the same from his subordinates. The young fighters of the platoon called their commander “Uncle Rivnyi,” because by age he was not yet old enough to be their father. He loved those young, still barely moustached “Azov” fighters as if they were his own children. “My sons: this one is number one, and that one is number two, and so on,” he would say, showing photos of his fighters during short leaves at home. “My ducklings are swimming,” he would comment with incredible tenderness in his voice about his fighters’ rest during rotation in Kyiv Oblast. And they answered him with respect and discipline. They knew the commander would not leave them alone in a position, and in critical moments—even though he was not obliged—he would be there with them. Soldiers from other platoons asked to be assigned under such a commander. He was very proud to have become part of the elite military formation “Azov.” More than once he repeated: “If everyone fought the way ‘Azov’ fights, Ukrainian forces would already be in Moscow.” In short, “Rivnyi,” with his life principles and devotion to his country, organically became one with this volunteer brigade. But, as is known, there are exceptions to every rule. After a Military Medical Commission decision assigning him to continued service in rear units due to a back injury (classified as a бытовa / non-combat injury), he transferred to the 5th Slobozhanska Brigade in Kharkiv Oblast. There he served as a training range instructor and was appointed commander of a sniper platoon. Later he led groups of snipers to positions. His last mission took place on 18 June 2025, and he was killed in battle with the enemy on 20 June near the settlement of Fyholivka, Kupiansk District. Yurii Tkatchuk’s combat path totaled 2 years, 8 months, and 22 days. He was buried at the Lypky cemetery on 3 July 2025. He is survived by his parents, his wife Nataliia, his daughter Yuliia and son Stanislav, and two sisters with their families. — “Rivnyi!” — We remember! We will avenge! — “Rivnyi!” — In formation! — the threefold call rang out over his native Lypky from nineteen “Azov” brothers-in-arms holding lit torches, who gathered to say farewell to their commander—some from the hospital, some from leave, and some who had been excused from duty. According to their tradition, the fighters, moved with emotion, recited the “Prayer of the Ukrainian Nationalist.” And then they left autographs on a flag bearing the name of the already legendary “AZOV” Corps. When visiting the grave, we notice new signs of remembrance each time, left by unknown visitors: energy drinks, cigarettes, flowers, engraved cartridge cases…