Heroes Never Die: Vladislav Rachinsky

"Vlad came home from college and said, 'I promised you a diploma—here’s your diploma—and now I’m joining the army,'" recalls Yulia Georgievna Rachynska, speaking of her son. “I understood him because I had served in the army myself; I couldn’t just stand by.”

Intent continues its series of articles about fallen defenders, “Heroes Never Die.”

Sergeant Vladislav Vitaliyovych Rachynskyi, squad leader of the 7th Rifle Company, 121st Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces, was severely wounded by an explosive device while on a combat mission. His heart stopped beating nineteen days later, on April 21, 2026. Vladislav was only 22 years old.

His mother, Yulia Georgievna, his supervisor, Serhiy Shulga, and his comrade-in-arms, Yuriy Sereda, spoke about his life, his love for Ukraine, his academic achievements, and the young sergeant’s career progression.

“From childhood, Vlad was very independent, determined, and positive,” says Yulia Rachynska. “He practiced judo and constantly brought home awards from district and regional competitions. At school, my son was passionate about math and physics. He was the best in those subjects.

Even in school, Vlad was very patriotic; he always wore a herring-bone mustache. After ninth grade, he enrolled in an engineering college in Kropyvnytskyi, majoring in “Automobiles and Engines”; my son was very knowledgeable about technology.

At college, Vlad was also among the top students. He took first place in the essay contest “What Is Language to You—Music or a Weapon?”

In February 2022, I went abroad to work. And that’s when the full-scale invasion began. I went back home, where I worked with volunteers to weave barbed-wire fences and fill Molotov cocktails. But I felt that wasn’t enough, so I went to the military registration and enlistment office. And on March 1, I began working as a clerk in the 121st Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces.

My son also wanted to join the army, but I asked him to finish college first—Vlad was only 18 years old. He received his diploma and said that now nothing could hold him back.

Vlad wasn’t accepted into a combat brigade, but he was accepted into the 121st Transport Brigade. We served together, though not always in the same unit.”

“We had just entered the Kherson region when Vlad arrived,” recalls his superior, Company Commander Serhiy Shulga. “He was a small, completely inexperienced young man, but very motivated. He was passionate; he lived for his service. And he was constantly figuring things out on his own, trying new approaches, and growing.”

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PHOTO provided by interviewees

After training in Germany, he became a squad leader. Everyone—even fellow soldiers much older than him—treated him as a leader.”

“We’ve known each other since his very first days in the army,” says his comrade Yuriy Sereda. “At first, we were both drivers. He was a good, very diligent young man. He lived and breathed the army. If something needed to be done, he’d ask everyone how best to do it. He wouldn’t sleep, but he’d find a way. He’d even buy a clutch for the car out of his own pocket if necessary.

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PHOTO provided by interviewees

He was very diligent. He once helped me get out of a position. I’m already 57 years old, weigh 120 kilograms, plus a body armor vest and all my gear.

Then he learned to fly drones. If a drone crashed somewhere, Vlad would run to look for it. The army could be proud of people like him.”

“Vlad learned to operate drones for reconnaissance,” continues Yulia Rachynska. “He was very attached to those drones—he even gave them names: Mariyka, Solomiyka, and Andriyko. And he could land an enemy drone without damaging it.

Back then, in April, he was at a position about 40–60 kilometers away from me. We were in constant contact. Vlad wrote to me that they should do a feature story on him as one of the best fighters.”

“Vlad was involved in reconnaissance and even demining,” Serhiy Shulga continues. “The enemy had heavily mined the area back then. They laid a lot of them—both seismic and magnetic. We still don’t know exactly what kind of explosive device it was. Carelessness wasn’t an issue; he always checked everything thoroughly. Vlad was severely injured; his partner was injured a little less seriously.

He was still in the hospital when he received his promotion to staff sergeant. He could have had a meteoric career in the army. Vlad is a true hero; we’re proud of him.”

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PHOTO provided by interviewees

“They managed to evacuate Vlad to the hospital, but he never regained consciousness,” says Yulia Rachynska. “I’m proud of my son because I’m just like him. I know why I came here, and I won’t leave until this case is closed. He was a true patriot, and to me, he has always been a hero.” 

Антон Терехов