21 August marks the birthday of Vasyl Protsailo, a serviceman of the 24th Separate Mechanised Brigade and Head of the Department for the Control of Movement of Goods of Lviv Customs. He did not live to see his 56th birthday, having given his life for Ukraine’s future and peace for his children and grandchildren.
Vasyl Vasylovych Protsailo was born on 21 August 1970 in the town of Zhovkva. He obtained his higher education at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, specialising in Finance.
He met his future wife, Yaryna, in September 1992, and by August 1993 the couple were married. They had two children — a son, Roman, and a daughter, Roksolana. For Vasyl, his son was a particular source of pride and hope, and his daughter was his soul and heart, whom he tenderly protected. His wife recalls that it was her father who first took the newborn girl in his arms, and later he devoted just as much attention to his grandchildren.
In December 1997, Vasyl Protsailo took the Oath of a civil servant and began working in the customs service as an inspector at the Rava-Ruska Customs Office. He worked in customs for almost 25 years, progressing from inspector to head of a customs post. For his professional service he was awarded the badges “For Customs Security of the State” (2nd Class) and “For Conscientious Service in the Customs Authorities of Ukraine” (3rd Class).
Colleagues remember Vasyl Protsailo as a highly educated, attentive and open person, someone you could always turn to both with work-related issues and for personal advice. He often turned to the Bible, seeking answers there to complex life situations, and he knew how to calm, support and encourage people to do good.
“People must be helped; one must not lose one’s humanity,” recalls his colleague Hlib Menshykov.
After many years of work at Rava-Ruska Customs and in other departments, Vasyl managed to unite his team around him. He initiated joint gatherings of colleagues with their families on holidays, organised shared leisure activities, and these traditions continued even after he moved to another department.
With the start of the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, Vasyl Protsailo voluntarily went to the front. He told his family that he had received call-up papers, although in reality he had gone to the military enlistment office himself and only asked that the documents be processed formally. In service he was a platoon commander. His comrades-in-arms recall that he assessed the danger soberly, understood that not everyone would return home, but remained faithful to his duty.
During the defence of Popasna in Luhansk region, Vasyl Protsailo was severely wounded. The comrades who survived still keep in touch with his family and visit his grave, honouring the memory of their friend.
Among friends and relatives, Vasyl was known as someone who loved travelling and active leisure. Together with his family, they often went away for weekends — to Zakarpattia, to the Shatsk Lakes, to Kosyno. He was passionate about cooking, had his own signature dishes, and always created an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness at home and among friends.
His wife, Yaryna, recalls that her husband remained attentive and caring until the very end, always finding time to call, ask how things were at home, and offer words of support and love. He never forgot important dates, brought flowers, was never shy about showing his feelings and was always there when help was needed.
Vasyl Protsailo was a man who knew how to be a true friend, to love sincerely and to live with an open heart. On 21 December 2022, he passed away, leaving a bright memory in the hearts of his family, colleagues, friends and comrades-in-arms.