Ukrainian drone hero Vasyl Ratushnyi dies in combat mission
Sad news comes from Ukraine. Vasyl Ratushnyi, a Ukrainian drone operator involved in a combat mission with the group "Ptachy Madiara," has died. This is yet another tragedy for the Ratushnyi family, who had already lost their younger son, Roman, during the battles near Izium in 2022.
On the night of February 26, 2025, during a combat mission, Vasyl Ratushnyi, a Ukrainian drone operator, known among his military colleagues by the pseudonym "Kashtan," was killed by a direct hit from an FPV drone. His mother, writer Svitlana Pavaliva, confirmed his passing.
According to Belsat TV, as part of the "Ptachy Madiara" group, Vasyl died while performing a combat task. His companions survived. The death of Vasyl Ratushnyi is another immense tragedy for the family. His father, Taras Ratushnyi, a former journalist and operator for "Belsat," paid an emotional farewell, citing words his son wrote in a recent correspondence.
Despite the risk and brutality of the war, Vasyl had a clearly defined goal that guided him during his service: "When I look into the future, I understand: the only thing that should worry me is a multiple increase in the losses of the sub-frames, in order to at least suspend the fighting for a while. All other things, especially those that reduce [the enemy's] losses, will simply not make sense."
According to "Belsat," despite his young age, Vasyl Ratushnyi had already been awarded the prestigious "Golden Cross," an honorary distinction given by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This award acknowledges his courage and dedication in the fight for Ukraine's independence.
His brother died earlier
The Ratushnyi family, struck by this new loss, faces another war-related tragedy. In 2022, during the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Vasyl's younger brother, Roman Ratushnyi, was killed.
As reported by "Belsat," Roman, like Vasyl, had been fighting for his homeland's freedom from the start. After completing his contract with the Armed Forces in 2019, he decided to build his own home. However, when the invasion began, he stood in defense of Kyiv, organizing local self-defense. He soon joined the 93rd Independent Mechanized Brigade as a scout. Roman fell on June 9, 2022, in the battles near Izium at the age of just 24.
In 2023, his name was honored by being given to the "Protasiv Yar" nature reserve, which Roman actively supported, leading the initiative to protect this area. Despite their great losses, the Ratushnyi family remains a symbol of the steadfast fight for Ukraine’s independence, their sacrifice underscoring their unwavering pursuit of freedom.
The deaths of both Ratushnyi brothers in this brutal war represent immense tragedy, yet also an invaluable contribution to the fight for Ukraine's sovereignty.
