"VERES"

Syrotiuk Yurii Vasylovych was born on 21.02.1995 in the village of Zavadiv, Stryi district, Lviv region. He lived and studied in his native village of Zavadiv. “Kind, well-mannered, and caring—these qualities grew with him. And from a boy, Yurii became a brave man, the one I saw in photos from the front. Always smiling and positive, very handsome,” — these sincere words are shared by Yurii’s homeroom teacher. In September 2010, he entered Higher Vocational School No. 34 in Stryi and graduated in June 2013. He obtained the qualification of “Construction Technician” in the specialty “Construction and Operation of Buildings and Structures.” From November 2015 to April 2017, he completed mandatory military service in Desna. He worked abroad and at Dnipro-M. In October 2021, Yurii married. In June 2022, during his service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, his son was born—whom he had eagerly awaited and deeply wanted. With the start of the full-scale invasion, on 26.02.2022 he stood up to defend his Motherland. At first, he served in a security company attached to the TCC. From 15.06.2022 to 29.07.2022, he completed combat coordination as part of an anti-aircraft artillery platoon of the airmobile battalion of the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade at the 199th Air Assault Forces Training Center. He was appointed as a gunner of the ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft artillery mount in the 3rd squad of the anti-aircraft artillery platoon of the airmobile battalion of the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade. On 28.08.2022, he took an active part in the offensive operation to liberate the right-bank part of the Kherson region. He fought near the settlements of Arkhanhelske, Davydiv Brid, Piatykhatky, and Tiahynka. On 21.11.2022, he was recognized by Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi with a certificate for courage and bravery. From December 2022, Yurii took an active part in the offensive operation in the Serebrianskyi Forestry near the settlement of Kreminna, Luhansk region. From 29.01.2023, he participated in defensive, and later offensive, operations on the Bakhmut direction in the Donetsk region, fighting near Ivanivske, Stupochky, Chasiv Yar, Andriivka, and Klishchiivka. During heavy battles near Klishchiivka, he covered the sky with an “Igla” or “Stinger” and repelled assaults during enemy advances. He delivered ammunition and provisions even when others refused. He never declined assigned tasks and always went where it was hottest. From October 2023, he was appointed to the position of Chief Sergeant—Squad Commander of the control section of the anti-aircraft missile platoon of the airmobile battalion of the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade. He always approached his work and combat missions responsibly. Later, he was sent with the brigade on a combat mission to Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation, where Yurii took part in assault and defensive actions for three months. He worked with FPV drones and supported the UAV unit; during this brief period of work, he struck an enemy vehicle with a drone. On 25.11.2024, he was killed in the settlement of Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, while carrying out a combat mission. From 26.11.2024 to 01.01.2025, he was considered missing in action. Yurii’s funeral service took place on 04.01.2025 in the village where he lived with his family. He was buried in the village of Holobutiv, Stryi district, Lviv region. Awards (during his lifetime): • Distinction of the President of Ukraine; • Order “Glory of Ukraine”; • Letters of appreciation from the brigade and battalion leadership; • War veteran status; • Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class (posthumously). Yurii is survived by his young son (3 years old), who still waits for his father to come home from work; his beloved wife; his loving parents; and his younger sister. Yurii was a wonderful family man—a loving father and husband, a good son and son-in-law, the best brother, and a kind friend. His family and friends could always rely on him and count on his help and advice. “One of the kindest people we knew,” — this is how his friends speak about Yurko. “He was someone you weren’t afraid to go on a mission with,” “He would never leave a fellow soldier on the battlefield,” “He always worried about everyone and remained faithful to the military oath,” — these are the words of brothers-in-arms who fought side by side with him for our sovereignty.