"VIKING"

Exactly three years ago, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and security agencies launched a devastating counteroffensive in Kharkivshchyna. That night, fighters of the Resistance Movement of the Special Operations Forces entered Izium. After a successful clearing operation, by morning the blue-and-yellow flag was flying over the administration building. It was raised by a warrior who went down in history under the name “Viking.” Pavlo “Viking” Panfilov He was born on 27 December 1995 in Radyvyliv, Rivnenshchyna. He grew up in a family of a serviceman and a lecturer. From childhood, he was raised in love for Ukraine—valuing its culture and ideology. From an early age, he followed a path of strength and honor. He earned dozens of titles in judo, wushu-sanda, and jiu-jitsu; became a two-time world champion in karate; and fought professionally in MMA. At the age of 15, he joined the football hooligan collective SDF, where he gained authority and learned to live by the principles of brotherhood. As a student, he signed a three-year contract for military service. With the start of the full-scale war, he did not hesitate to defend the country. He took part in the liberation of Kyivshchyna, and later—in the legendary counteroffensive in Kharkivshchyna. It was Viking who was the first to raise the flag over liberated Izium. He fought his last battle on the outskirts of Bakhmut, commanding a group encircled by superior enemy forces. Until the very end, he remained a pillar for his brothers-in-arms, lifted their spirits, and took on the hardest decisions. Posthumously, he was awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class, the “Golden Cross,” and other breast and combat distinctions.