Kharkiv volunteer killed during evacuation in Donetsk region
A volunteer from Kharkiv, Viacheslav Ilchenko, was killed during an evacuation operation in the Donetsk region. He was rescuing civilians from the combat zone when he died as a result of Russian shelling. Ukrainians and colleagues have expressed condolences to his family and are honoring his dedicated work. The news was reported on Facebook by Yevhen Koliada, head of the “Coordination Humanitarian Center” charitable organization in Kharkiv region.
Viacheslav Ilchenko was the founder of the Unbroken foundation and had been evacuating people from Donbas since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to volunteer Natalia Popova, Ilchenko saved hundreds of civilians and returned to dangerous areas every day to help others.
“RIP. We are losing the best among us. Today, December 25, on Christmas Day, he was killed during an evacuation in Donbas. This is more than pain, and more than just a loss,” Popova wrote on Facebook.
Colleagues and residents of Kharkiv and Donetsk regions remember Ilchenko as a person who fearlessly rescued people under shelling. “He evacuated dozens of families from my home community. Thousands of people owe their lives to him,” said Oksana Dudnyk, head of a sector of the Borova community.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters. A fundraising campaign has already been launched to support his family.
