On May 28, Ternopil-based journalist Vitaliy Derekh died near Popasna, in the Luhansk region. He worked for 20 Khvylyn and RIA plus. After studying journalism at the Galician College, he became one of the most recognizable reporters at the 20 Khvylyn newspaper. In 2013, on behalf of the newsroom he went on an expedition to South Africa and Madagascar.
Derekh was an active participant in the Revolution of Dignity: he enlisted himself in the Maidan’s Self-Defense units and was helping wounded protesters from Instytutska St on February 20, 2014. With the beginning of Russia’s aggression, Vitaliy fought in eastern Ukraine for several years. He was a commander of the anti-tank unit in the Aidar assault battalion. In 2016 he was awarded the Order for Courage of the 3rd degree. On February 24, 2022 he went to the frontline once again. Derekh is survived by his mother and brother.
"Those events divided my life, and myself, into “before” and “after.” Before the Maidan I had worked as a journalist. After the Maidan and the war I became a completely different person. Then I was under fire for the first time,” said Vitaliy.
