September 18, 2022
Chief Sergeant Volodymyr Samson passed away at a hospital in Dnipro on September 18, 2022. A day earlier, while carrying out a combat mission in Donetsk Oblast, he was hit by enemy shelling, sustaining burns covering 90% of his body. For a brief moment, he regained consciousness and immediately asked about his comrades, who survived. However, the warrior’s heart could not withstand the trauma and stopped beating. The next day, on September 19, he would have turned 51.
Volodymyr Vasylovych was born in Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. From childhood, he aspired to become a soldier and attempted to enroll in military school, but when that didn’t work out, he pursued other paths, including serving in the army. After completing his conscript service, he worked in various security structures, including banks and large companies. His last place of employment was Nova Poshta in Zaporizhzhia. He was passionate about fishing and firearms.
In 2015, he was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine and participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO). He served in many hotspots and later signed a contract. On the morning of February 24, 2022, Volodymyr faced the enemy on the eastern borders of Ukraine, where he halted the adversary’s advance with artillery fire. He served as the commander of a self-propelled artillery battery in the 55th Separate Artillery Brigade “Zaporizhzhia Sich.”
According to his wife, his subordinates called him “mom.” This nickname speaks volumes about him, as his brigade and comrades were no less than family to him than his actual relatives. He was a strong man both physically and in character. Calm and caring, he preferred the quiet and cozy atmosphere at home.
A week before his heroic death, Volodymyr was awarded the Order of Courage III degree, and posthumously, he was honored with the Order of Courage II degree.
Volodymyr was laid to rest in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
At home, he is survived by his wife and daughter.