"His name has become a symbol of courage": famous Donetsk airport defender dies in an accident in Volyn region. Photo

On September 29, a 36-year-old Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier, captain, and knight of the Order for Courage, Pavlo Chaika, died in an accident on a highway in Lutsk district, Volyn region. The soldier with the call sign "Sigl" defended Donetsk airport ten years ago, went through other hottest spots of the eastern front, and was wounded twice.

The information about his death was confirmed by the mayor of Rozhyshche, Viacheslav Polishchuk. Friends and acquaintances of the legendary soldier are posting messegaes online with condolences, emphasizing that they cannot believe this loss.

"The legendary Volyn resident Pavlo Chaika is the third knight of the Order of Courage in Ukraine, the third person in the history of Ukraine to receive this title during the ATO and since independence. He has also been an honorary citizen of Rozhyshche since 2015 and a holder of the Order of the People's Hero of Ukraine since 2016. Ukraine has lost one of its most glorious Heroes... Honor and glory... Eternal memory... Gratitude for courage," said Liudmyla Olshevska.

According to the communications unit of the Volyn regional police, the 36-year-old motorcyclist riding a Harley Davidson got into an accident on Sunday, September 29, on the Ustyluh-Lutsk highway. Near the village of Khorokhoryn, he drove into oncoming traffic and collided with a Ford Fusion driven by a 30-year-old resident of Volodymyr. As a result of the collision, the motorcycle caught fire and its driver was killed.

"Incredible pain. You were one of the best people I knew. I looked up to you as an example for many people: honest, funny, brave, devoted - you were all of those things. You were a true officer who had values and was ready to defend them regardless of the situation. I will always remember you smiling and sporty. My sincere condolences to your family," Oleksandr Dovhyi wrote on Facebook.

Dreaming of a military career

A young man from the Volyn town of Rozhyshche dreamed of military service since he was a child. At the age of 15, he entered the Volyn Regional Lyceum with Intensive Military and Physical Training, after which he continued his studies at the Law Faculty of the Lesya Ukrainka National University. In 2007, he began his military career, first serving as a paratrooper in Mykolaiv. He then served on a contract basis. Then he worked in the Berkut for two years. After refusing to join the Presidential Regiment, he chose the paratrooper's path again, returning to the army on a contract.

For Sigl, the war began near the Crimea - he and his comrades were standing a kilometer from Armiansk. Then came Donbas. As a member of the 79th Air Assault Brigade, of which he was a platoon leader, Pavlo Chaika fought in the fiercest battles for Sloviansk, Zelenopillia and Marinka, went through two rotations at the Donetsk airport, and took part in the battles for Debaltseve and other places. He was wounded twice: once near Krasnyi Lyman, after which he refused to undergo rehabilitation and returned to his unit.

"On July 5, we liberated Sloviansk, and on July 7, we went to Zelenopillia. We came under heavy fire. Then we were surrounded for 23 days. Our soldiers were shelled, bombed, and offered to take the enemy's side. We ran out of food and ammunition, but the fighting spirit was unbroken. While we were surrounded, we were offered to surrender and take the terrorists' side a number of times. The commander told them that no one would do that in a very rude manner," the fighter said in an interview.

He escaped from the encirclement near Marinka in a KAMAZ truck taken from terrorists. "Sigl" admitted that the war in eastern Ukraine was his first serious test: he recalled how difficult it was for him at first, but later he gained invaluable experience that changed his attitude to life.

The official website of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces states that Pavlo was awarded the Order "For Courage" of the III degree for personal courage and heroism in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine on July 8, 2014. He was awarded the Order "For Courage", II class, on December 4, 2014, and the Order "For Courage", I class, on February 26, 2015.

On May 7, 2016, the serviceman received the Order of the Hero of Ukraine in Kyiv. He was also awarded the badge "For Exemplary Military Service" of the III degree.

Pavlo Chaika was an honorary citizen of his hometown of Rozhyshche. He lived in Kyiv with his wife, athlete Victoria, with whom he participated in marathons. He is also survived by his parents and sister.

The funeral will be held in his small homeland on October 2. The final resting place of the Ukrainian defender will be the Alley of Glory at the city cemetery.

"Somewhere up there, they decided to take away the best, most legendary warriors. And you can't understand it, can't comprehend it. How can it be? Pasha, your sincere smile, your incredible blue eyes... We always met you at sporting events in support of our defenders - it was just a tradition... Another shocking pain of the loss... It is very painful and unfortunate. Honor and eternal memory," Olena Bieliachkova wrote on Facebook.

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