Anatoliy Dementiy, co-owner of the publication "Ridnyy Krai," was killed on the front lines
Anatoliy Dementiy, a co-owner of the Poltava-based publication *Ridnyy Krai. Gazeta Hadyachkoho Zemstva* and a soldier in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) with the call sign Hunter Daf, was killed in the fight against Russian occupiers.
On May 24, 2026, Anatoliy Dementiy sustained severe injuries as a result of a Russian drone attack while performing his duties.
Doctors fought to save his life for over ten days, but were unable to save him. On June 5, his heart stopped.
Anatoliy Dementiy was born on December 14, 1980. With the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he immediately joined the ranks of Ukraine’s defenders.
The soldier served in the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Ivan Vyhovsky and held the rank of master sergeant.
He was also a participant in the Hadyach Safari—a resistance movement by residents of the Hadyach region in Poltava Oblast in February–March 2022, when Russian troops attempted to advance into the region.
In 2024, Anatoliy Dementiy was awarded the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s “Golden Cross” honorary badge for his courage and conscientious performance of combat duties.
This award is presented to military personnel for personal bravery and outstanding performance during combat missions.
The publication’s staff emphasizes that the true magnitude of Anatoliy Dementiy’s character will only become fully apparent with time.
According to his colleagues, there are still many memories to come of his good deeds, his selfless help to people, his support of friends, and his significant contribution to the development of the community and the defense of Ukraine.
The death of Anatoliy Dementiy was a heavy loss for his comrades, colleagues, family, and the entire Gadyach region. Eternal memory and honor to the Ukrainian soldier.
The tragic news was reported by his colleagues.
Oleg Tyagnibok, head of the “Svoboda” All-Ukrainian Union and a former member of parliament, was wounded while on the front lines. The incident occurred when a Russian drone struck the vehicle in which he was traveling with his comrades.
Earlier, Kyiv Independent journalist Georgiy Ivanchenko and his French colleague Anthony Lallican were struck by a drone in the Donetsk region. Ivanchenko underwent surgery; the Frenchman was killed.
