Ukrainian actor Yakiv Tkachenko falls in battle at 45
Yakiv Tkachenko, a Ukrainian actor, was killed on the front line, as reported by the "Media Detector" service. The artist was demobilized in 2023 but rejoined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in September 2024. This is another significant loss for the Ukrainian art world in 2024. He was 45 years old.
11:02 AM EST, December 14, 2024
Yakiv Tkachenko, a well-known Ukrainian actor, was killed during the war in Ukraine, as confirmed by his friends and colleagues. Director Oles Sanin posted photos of the deceased actor on Facebook, describing him using superlative terms. He recalled that just two days before his death, they had a conversation.
We talked two days ago. He was one of the most talented Ukrainian actors. A true knight. A true friend. My deepest condolences to Yakiv's family and friends. Eternal glory to the hero! — wrote Sanin.
Yakiv Tkachenko died on the front line in Ukraine
Yakiv Tkachenko, who served in the territorial defense from the start of the full-scale invasion, later joined the 3rd Assault Brigade. Actor Yevhen Chernikov emphasized that he had known Tkachenko since 2016 and had observed not only his professional development but also his role as a soldier. He added that the actor, who fell in the war, significantly contributed to the advancement of Ukrainian cinema.
Extraordinary and bright. I have known Yakiv since 2016; I saw him grow up as a sincere patriot of our country! From the very first days he defended us as part of the Territorial Defence Forces and later joined the 3rd Assault Brigade. Yakiv created many vivid characters in our cinema and will forever remain in our hearts and memories. To be a warrior is to live forever — posted on Facebook.
In August 2024, the death of another Ukrainian actor, Andriy Kasyanov, who also died fighting against Russian occupying forces, was reported. Tkachenko’s death is another loss for Ukrainian culture and art, and his contributions to cinema will remain in the memory of many.
Who was Yakiv Tkachenko?
The 45-year-old Yakiv Tkachenko starred in Ukrainian productions such as "Red" (2017) and "Dovbush" (2023), as well as in Agnieszka Holland's film "Mr. Jones" (2019) and the Polish series "Wataha" (2014-20).
According to PAP, at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the actor joined the territorial defense unit in the city of Dnipro, located in the central-eastern part of Ukraine. He participated in fights in the Donetsk region, during which he was injured twice — reminded Ukrainska Pravda.
In one interview given to Ukrainian media, he admitted that he "would definitely be in the army as long as this war was going on."
