Every day at 9 am, Ukrainians commemorate the people who lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine war. Today Sport.ua recalls that 21-year-old Thai boxing master Vladislav Vakulenko, a very positive person, had great potential in the ring, but with the beginning of a full-scale invasion he decided to defend Ukraine. The fighter died exactly three years ago, on December 30, 2022, while conducting a combat mission near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.
Vladislav was born in Kiev and has been involved with sports since his childhood. Just six months before his tragic death, he received a diploma from the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine and dreamed of major competitions, medals and training future champions. In parallel with his studies, Vladislav trained in Muay Thai. The man hoped to return to training in the gym after the war.
Vladislav Vakulenko took up arms immediately after the Muscovites’ large-scale occupation of his territory. “We live with war! I understand that we live in a historical time when there are real brave comrades nearby, whose soul and body are eager for war… This is a time when you will remain a hero or die a hero,” he wrote on social networks.
His friends and coach remember Vlad as a man of light. He always smiled, joked, supported others, was a master of inspiration, did not make excuses, did not back down from difficulties. The friend wrote: “You’ve done more at this age than some have done in 50 or 60 years.” And Vlad’s mentor, Stanislav Voiten, recalls: “He did his best in training, gave his life in the fight against the invader. I am proud to have known him.”
