August 6, 2023
Paratrooper Volodymyr Khimich, call sign Mini Cooper, passed away on August 6, 2023, at Zhytomyr Hospital due to severe injuries and concussion sustained during combat near the village of Yakovlivka in Donetsk Oblast. The defender was 39 years old.
Volodymyr was born and raised in the village of Avratin in Zhytomyr Oblast, where he completed his schooling. During his conscript military service, he attained the rank of junior sergeant. Later, he studied at Lyubarsky Vocational Technical School, inheriting his father’s skills in construction and building maintenance, which he pursued until the onset of the large-scale war.
On the second day of the full-scale invasion, Volodymyr joined the ranks of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Initially serving in the 95th Brigade, he later transferred to the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade. He served as a sapper-scout, initially defending Makariv in Kyiv Oblast and later liberating settlements in Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Donetsk Oblasts.
“My family still cannot accept that our cheerful Vovchik is gone. He was a bright soul with a big heart, always ready to help. My brother loved life, but when the full-scale invasion began, he went to the military enlistment office with his friends. He couldn’t do otherwise. We miss his support, his jokes, his voice so much… I love you very much, my brother, and will always be proud of you…” shared the sister of the fallen soldier, Svitlana.
The warrior was laid to rest in his native village.
Volodymyr is survived by his mother, brother, two sisters, as well as other relatives, loved ones, friends, and comrades.