“He died like a knight, with arms in his hands”.

A scout, a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yurii Samaniuk with the call sign “Thirteen” died while fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Recently, Yurii and his comrades-in-arms joined the 78th Special Forces Regiment “Herts”, before that he served in The 93rd Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar” and the Ukrainian Volunteer Army. Yuriy has fought in the battles for Kyiv, Kharkiv, Soledar, and Bakhmut.

“The path to victory is difficult and thorny. In the battles for freedom, we lose the most loyal sons of Ukraine,” the regiment where the soldier served said in a statement.

Samaniuk was a well-known free-fighting, hand-to-hand hopak fighter, he liked sports tourism and folk musical instruments, participated in volunteer camps for orphans.

In December 2022, “Thirteen” became a holder of the Order of Courage, 3rd class, for personal courage and selflessness in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and loyalty to the military oath. He was also awarded the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Golden Cross, the Steel Cross of the command of the 93rd Brigade, 2nd degree, and the Honor. Glory. State” medal.

Yurii was an active participant in the Revolution of Dignity, including clashes in the January on Hrushevskoho Street.

Today, the hero said goodbye in Kyiv, and tomorrow and the day after that, his native Vorokhta will say goodbye. Samaniuk is survived by his wife and two young children.

May the warrior’s soul rest in peace!

Photos: danylo.dubchak

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Photos by Danylo Dubchak: