«C’è più responsabilità e voglia di vendetta»: Vitalii, nominativo Don, dopo aver perso in guerra il cognato e il cugino

A soldier of the 105th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Ternopil region, Vitalii, with the call sign Don, has been defending Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. He serves as a mortar operator, performing combat missions in the east. By profession, he is a mason-plasterer, and before the war he worked in construction. 

**On the decision to join the Armed Forces**

I went to defend the country on February 26, 2022. On the 24th, we heard the first air raid siren while at work. My brother-in-law, my brother, and I got together and went to the military enlistment office. 

**The death of loved ones**

My feelings about the deaths of my brothers-in-law — my sister’s husband and my cousin – are different now. I knew back then that I had to do this. Now, there’s more responsibility and a desire for revenge.

Oleksandr Kushchei served in the 79th Air Assault Brigade, and Andrii Bat in the 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade from Ivano-Frankivsk region. They were great guys. Oleksandr was 28 when he was killed, and Andrii was 30.

**Nika and Ryzhyk**

We have a few favorites here — Nika, a shepherd dog, and Ryzhyk, a cat. Nika has owners but often runs over to us for food, and the cat just showed up on its own.

When we arrived at our position, the cat came around. We fed it one day, then another. Soon, there were lots of mice – we were tossing out 20 traps’ worth a day. So we brought Ryzhyk to the position.

At first, he didn’t want to do anything. Then he caught and ate five mice in a row, half of a sixth, and after that just killed them and laid them neatly by the bed. A serious helper — he cleaned up our mouse problem a bit.

**On family and future plans**

At home, my mother, wife, and two daughters – Anastasiia (10) and Khrystynka (8) – are waiting for me. My father is waiting too.

Family support during the war is incredibly important. Even a morning call – “Hi, Dad. Are you okay?” Or at night – “Goodnight, Daddy. I love you.” That’s priceless.

We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves, but after the war, I’d like to dedicate more time to my family and hobbies. Then I’ll decide whether to continue serving or return to construction – to help rebuild Ukraine.

[https://suspilne.media/ternopil/1121220-e-bilse-vidpovidalnosti-ta-bazanna-pomsti-istoria-vijskovogo-z-ternopilsini-z-pozivnim-don/](https://suspilne.media/ternopil/1121220-e-bilse-vidpovidalnosti-ta-bazanna-pomsti-istoria-vijskovogo-z-ternopilsini-z-pozivnim-don/)