On March 16, in the village of Vasilyevka in the Kirovograd region, the defender of Ukraine, 56-year-old Vasily Kolesnik, was taken on his last journey. The military's body was returned during an exchange in February 2023.

The man has been missing since April 2022. For a long time, Vasily Kolesnik was in the Sukhodolsk correctional colony, his further fate is unknown.

What is known about the life of a defender

Vasily Kolesnik was born on November 27, 1967 in Vasilievka, Onufrievsky district. He was the smallest third son in the family.

He studied at the Vasilevsky eight-year school. From 1986 to 1988 he did military service in Germany.

The defender was buried in his native village / Photo Onufrievsky village council

When the full-scale invasion of Russia began, the man in March 2022 went without hesitation to defend his native land. With their brothers, they held the defense of the city of Slavyansk, Donetsk region, then fought in Popasnaya, Luhansk region.

After another massive shelling, communication with him was cut off. Since April 21, 2022, Vasily Kolesnik was considered missing.

In February 2023, during the exchange, Ukraine returned the body of the deceased soldier. Kolesnik is survived by a son and a daughter. By the way, his son Alexander also defends Ukraine.

Ukraine is losing its best sons

• In the war in Ukraine, a native of the village of Stiezhok, Ternopil region, Roman Korchemny, died. He was only 19 years old. The hero voluntarily defended his country.
• In the battles for Bakhmut, the famous historian, archaeologist, teacher, guide and patriot Yuri Kovalenko died. In the spring of 2022, he defended the Chernihiv region.
• In Kherson, a defender from Lvov Dmitry Pashchuk died. The hero died as a result of being wounded by a kamikaze drone. He was a fighter of the MTR and a scout.
• In the battles for Bakhmut, the famous historian, archaeologist, teacher, guide and patriot Yuri Kovalenko died. In the spring of 2022, he defended the Chernihiv region, and in parallel, he defended his thesis.