Ukraine mourns loss of heroic drone operator Vasyl Ratushnyi
Sad news is emerging from Ukraine. Vasyl Ratushnyi, a Ukrainian drone operator who was taking part in a combat mission with the group "Ptachy Madiara," has died. This is another tragedy for the Ratushnyi family, who had already lost their younger son, Roman, in 2022 during the battles near Izium.
On the night of 26th February 2025, during a combat mission, Vasyl Ratushnyi, a Ukrainian drone operator, known among his military colleagues by the pseudonym "Kashtan," was killed due to a direct hit by an FPV drone, as confirmed by his mother, writer Svitlana Pavaliva.
According to Belsat TV, the man, part of the "Ptachy Madiara" group, died while undertaking a combat mission. His companions survived. The death of Vasyl Ratushnyi is another immense tragedy for the family. His father, a former journalist and operator for "Belsat," Taras Ratushnyi, in an emotional farewell, quoted words his son recently wrote in a 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," Vasyl Ratushnyi, despite his young age, had already been awarded the prestigious "Golden Cross" – an honorary distinction given by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is an expression of recognition for his courage and dedication in the fight for Ukraine's independence.
His brother died earlier
The Ratushnyi family, struck by this new loss, faces yet 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, just after the invasion began, he stood in defence of Kyiv, organising local self-defence. He soon joined the 93rd Independent Mechanised Brigade as a scout. Roman fell on 9th June 2022, in the battles near Izium, at the age of just 24 years.
His name was honoured in 2023 when it was given to the "Protasiv Yar" nature reserve, which Roman actively supported, leading the initiative to protect this area. The Ratushnyi family, despite their great losses, consistently remains a symbol of the steadfast fight for Ukraine’s independence, their sacrifice serving as proof of their unwavering pursuit of freedom.
The deaths of both Ratushnyi brothers during this brutal war represent immense tragedy, but also an invaluable contribution to the fight for Ukraine's sovereignty.
