Vitaly Volodymyrovych Skakun
A unit of Ukrainian Marines was sent out on Thursday, barely hours after Russia invaded Ukraine, to guard the town of Henichesk, a strait that connects Crimea to the country's mainland. Ukrainian forces were forced to burn the Henichesk bridge as a Russian column of tanks drew near their position. Russian troops would approach more slowly if the bridge was disabled during the Kherson attack.
Vitaly Volodymyrovych Skakun, a lone combat engineer, offered to lay mines on the bridge. Vitaly didn't have enough time to escape the explosive zone after setting the charges before the Russian troops crossed the bridge.The young marine set off the explosives after messaging his buddies his plans, demolishing the bridge while selflessly risking his life.
His valiant acts considerably slowed the Russian advance and gave his unit time to reassemble and plan a counterattack. Ukrainian officials declared Vitaly would receive the Hero of Ukraine Order of the Gold Star posthumously two days after his passing.
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