The Dobrotvir community has received tragic news. On Monday, July 20, Ukrainian defender Vitalii Ihorovych Bodnar will return home “on his shield.” He was a resident of the village of Neznaniv and was born on March 10, 1989.
Vitalii Bodnar served as a grenade launcher operator in the 1st Jaeger squad of the 2nd Jaeger platoon, 8th Jaeger company, 3rd Jaeger battalion of military unit A4056. He carried out his military duties responsibly and conscientiously.
The defender had been listed as missing in action since May 19, 2024. Throughout that time, his family and loved ones continued to hope and wait for good news. Unfortunately, it was later confirmed that Vitalii had been killed while carrying out a combat mission in defence of Ukraine.
The serviceman lost his life near the settlement of Umanske in the Pokrovsk district of the Donetsk region.
Schedule and Locations for Welcoming the Fallen Hero
Community residents are asked to honourably welcome the funeral procession:
- 11:40 a.m. — memorial service in the village of Zhovtantsi near the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
- 12:10 p.m. — Gospel reading near the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kamianka-Buzka;
- 12:20 p.m. — Gospel reading near the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Saint Nicholas in Kamianka-Buzka;
- 12:40 p.m. — Gospel reading near Saint George’s Church in the village of Ruda-Siletska;
- 12:50 p.m. — Gospel reading near the chapel in the village of Tartak;
- 1:00 p.m. — the soldier will be welcomed at the entrance to the village of Neznaniv.
After the welcoming ceremony, the funeral procession will travel to Vitalii Bodnar’s family home and then proceed to the church. The fallen defender will be laid to rest at the local cemetery.
At 12:20 p.m., a bus will depart from 14 Ivana Franka Street in the settlement of Dobrotvir for residents wishing to attend the farewell ceremony.
The Dobrotvir community extends its sincere condolences to Vitalii Bodnar’s family, relatives, friends and fellow soldiers. Together with them, community residents share the pain of this irreparable loss and bow their heads in honour of the warrior who gave his life for Ukraine’s freedom and independence.
The memory of the defender, who paid the ultimate price for the future of his country, will forever remain in the hearts of his fellow residents.
Eternal memory and glory to the Hero!
July 20 has been declared a day of mourning in the Dobrotvir community.