A paratrooper spent 90 days alone in a trench, repelling Russian attacks

Vyacheslav Tkachenko (call sign “Massage Therapist”), a soldier with the 81st Separate Airborne Slobozhansky Brigade of the Airborne Forces, was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine for his incredible resilience: he held his position alone for 90 days while surrounded. 

This was reported by tsn.ua.

After his comrades were killed during the first month of holding the position, Vyacheslav was left alone in a destroyed dugout. Despite the lack of reliable communication and a critical shortage of food, he continued to carry out his combat mission under constant shelling and assaults. The soldier learned to detect the movement of enemy vehicles from Bilohorivka by the vibration of the ground and to coordinate artillery fire. A radio, through which he heard the voices of his comrades, helped him survive and maintain his psychological resilience.

In civilian life, Vyacheslav worked in repairs, and now, after returning and receiving the highest state award, he plans to start his own business. His story has become a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian airborne troops in the most challenging conditions of modern warfare. Currently, the soldier is undergoing rehabilitation following an extremely arduous deployment to the front lines.

For the first time, the title of Hero of Ukraine was awarded to a female servicemember of the National Guard—Oleksandra Davydenko, call sign Virva.

A street has been named in Kyiv in honor of Hero of Ukraine Vasyl Kopan.