March 16, 2022
Marine Vitaliy Berdyuhin, call sign Burn, died on March 16, 2022, in the battle for the city of Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast. He was wounded during a mission and taken to the hospital, but the enemy launched an airstrike, ending the warrior’s life. He was only 27 years old.
Vitaliy was born and raised in Mykolaiv. He studied at local School No. 15. In 2014, he graduated from the Children’s Music School No. 1 named after M.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, specializing in guitar, and played in folk instrument ensembles and orchestras. That same year, he obtained a degree in electrical engineering from Mykolaiv Polytechnic College. In 2016, he graduated from the National University of Shipbuilding named after Admiral Makarov, earning a bachelor’s degree in electromechanics. He was interested in military tactics and marksmanship, dreaming of pursuing them professionally.
From 2017 to 2020, he served under contract in military unit 4465 of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where he worked as a driver-electrician of airport mobile power units.
During the full-scale invasion, Vitaliy fought for Ukraine in the ranks of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi of the Ukrainian Navy. He operated a DShK machine gun and defended Mariupol alongside his comrades.
“Vitaliy was a very kind person, he adored cats. A brave and fearless warrior, he was not afraid of war at all. He found satisfaction in it, planning to study to become an officer afterward and continue doing everything for victory. He was very skilled with weapons and taught me a lot,” said his comrade Artem.
Posthumously, Senior Sailor Berdyuhin V.Yu. was awarded the Order of Courage, 3rd Class.
Vitaliy leaves behind parents, relatives, friends, and comrades.