**Ukrainian Activist Vasyl Ratushnyi Killed in Action**
Vasyl Ratushnyi, a 20-year-old activist and drone pilot in Ukraine’s Armed Forces, was killed on February 27 while fighting on the front lines. His family confirmed his death.
Ratushnyi was the son of writer Svitlana Povalyaeva and the brother of Roman Ratushnyi, a prominent activist who died in combat in 2022. Vasyl was part of Ukraine’s Birds of Magyar drone unit and was killed during an overnight mission when his first-person-view (FPV) drone was attacked.
In a Facebook post, Povalyaeva wrote: “My eldest son, my life.” This is not the first time that Ratushnyi has been involved in fighting for Ukraine. He previously participated in the EuroMaidan Revolution alongside his brother Roman.
After Russia‘s invasion of Donbas, Vasyl volunteered to fight on the front lines at just 18 years old. Following Roman’s death in June 2022, Vasyl said he carried military gear that his brother had left him in his will.
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