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Denys Tkach (Ukrainian: Денис Ткач) was a Ukrainian border guard who was killed by Russian forces on 24 February 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the village of Zorynivka. He is recognised as the first soldier killed during the invasion.[1]
Denys Tkach | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mykilske, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine |
| Died | 24 February 2022 (aged 36) Zorynivka, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine |
| Allegiance |  Ukraine |
| Unit | Pomsta Brigade |
| Battles / wars | |
| Spouse(s) | Oksana Tkach |
| Children | 2 |
Biography
editTkach was born in Mykilske, Luhansk Oblast. In 2007, he joined the armed forces and, by 2022, was serving in the 3rd Border Detachment named after the Hero of Ukraine Colonel Yevgeny Pikus.[2] On February 24, 2022, after months of tension between Russia and Ukraine, Russia invaded Ukraine. Despite being announced at 04:30, Kyiv time, Russian forces first attacked the Ukrainian border at 03:40, in Zorynivka, where Tkach was stationed.[1]
Around eight Russian saboteurs crossed the border at this time and were spotted by Tkach with thermal imagers. He then made the decision to withdraw and was the last man of his unit to retreat. As the saboteur group approached, they noticed Tkach and opened fire on him, killing him. His body would later be discovered by his wife outside the checkpoint's hut.[3]
Family
editTkach was survived by his wife and two daughters who fled to Volodymyr in Volyn Oblast following six months of occupation. Tkach's mother would flee to Russia four days after his death.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b "The first victim of the full-scale invasion was border guard Denys Tkach". Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Перша жертва повномасштабної війни. Згадаймо прикордонника Дениса Ткача". ГЛАВКОМ (in Ukrainian). 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ^ Boffey, Daniel (2023-02-24). "The life and death of Denys Tkach, the first Ukrainian soldier to die in Russian invasion". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ^ Rusyk, Leah. ""I hate February and this pain." A border guard from Luhansk was the first to die on the day of the invasion: memories of his wife and siblings EXCLUSIVELY". Suspilne Media. Retrieved 17 June 2024.