Memories of the family of the fallen Mykolaiv paratrooper, who fought for Ukraine for 8 years: «We still write letters to him»

Major Vitalii Bohonka, a native of the Mykolaiv region, has been defending Ukraine from Russian aggression since 2014 as part of the 79th Air Assault Brigade. From the start of the full-scale invasion, he commanded a battalion of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade, with which he continued to serve in the defense of his country's sovereignty.

In the plot of the «Glory to Heroes» program, relatives and brothers of the deceased shared their memories of him.

The wife of a soldier, Larysa, whom he met at university, still writes him letters and voice messages. It's easier to bear your pain this way, says the woman.

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«Together we went through all the stages of his formation as a teacher and as an officer. I loved him very much and still do. This is my universe, I only lived in it. I write to him about what I miss. «I mainly record my voice because it's somehow easier to express my opinion,» the woman shares.

Vitalii Bohonka was born in the village of Shcherbani in the Snihurivka region. In the room of the house where Vitaly lived, the mother still keeps every certificate and medal of her son for his sports achievements. Sport was an integral part of his life, that's why he went to study as a physical education teacher in Mykolaiv after school.

«He practiced canoeing, I suggested he go kayaking, and he said it was a women's sport. He took both the first and second places. He became an example for many boys,» says Vitalii`s mother.

Vitalii Bohonka went to serve as a volunteer in 2014, when the Russian Federation occupied Crimea. He was then only 23 years old and had no military training. The boy was immediately sent to the hottest spot — to the border of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, from where there was almost no chance of returning alive.

He said: «Mom, just imagine, we are leaving, and we are covered by hail and there is nowhere to hide. I hide in such a small hole, and so 15 meters from one side of the cliff, and 20 meters from the other.» And so he lay for hours. It is hard to believe that he is not there. It's very hard that you won't see or hear anything new,» says the woman, crying.

Vitalii was also a participant in the defense of the Donetsk airport, for which he was seriously wounded in the last days.

«We asked him to stop. And he stopped, but for a month. After being wounded in 2015, he was demobilized. He stayed at home for exactly a month and said: «It's not mine.» And he went to the army again. He found himself in the army. He simply did not accept other professions after 2014,» says his mother.

Vitalii met a full-scale invasion in Shchastia in Luhansk region, from where he was transferred to serve in the Donetsk region, later near Vovchoiarivka, his battalion repelled more than 10 Russian attacks and destroyed more than 200 enemy soldiers in battle.

He said: «Mom, don't cry. Take care, I'm strong,» recalls the mother.

At the end of July 2022, Vitalii Bohonka was seriously wounded in battle.

«As a battalion commander, he should not have gone there. But Vitalii was such that he overlooked his staff. And they blew up a mine. He had a cut leg, a contusion. He was put into a medically induced coma,» says his wife Larysa.

For several days, the man fought for his life in a hospital in Dnipro. But it was not possible to save the hero, he died without coming out of a coma. Major Vitalii Bohonka was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally presented the award to his wife Larisa and his father.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy presents the «Golden Star» to the wife of Major Vitalii Bohonka, photo: Office of the President

Vitaly's brothers gave the commander's personal belongings to the family of the deceased: his body armor, maps, books.

«My son's blood (shows Vitalii`s things, — note). It's hard for me to come here. The guys gave us absolutely everything they had. I don't know for what purpose. Was it necessary to give them to someone whom they would save, says mother Vitalii Bohonka.

In the future, the parents want to give all these things to the museum of the school where Vitalii Bohonka studied.

We will remind, in Kyiv, Chernihivska street was renamed to Brativ Chybineev Street, who served in Mykolaiv's 79th separate amphibious assault brigade.