Denys Tkach

Denys Tkach (Ukrainian: Денис Ткач) was a Ukrainian border guard who was killed by Russian forces on 24 February 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the village of Zorynivka. He is recognised as the first soldier killed during the invasion.

Biography
Tkach was born in Mykilske, Luhansk Oblast. In 2007, he joined the armed forces and, by 2022, was serving in the 3rd Border Detachment named after the Hero of Ukraine Colonel Yevgeny Pikus. On February 24, 2022, after months of tension between Russia and Ukraine, Russia invaded Ukraine. Despite being announced at 04:30, Kyiv time, Russian forces first attacked the Ukrainian border at 03:40, in Zorynivka, where Tkach was stationed.

Around eight Russian saboteurs crossed the border at this time and were spotted by Tkach with thermal imagers. He then made the decision to withdraw and was the last man of his unit to retreat. As the saboteur group approached, they noticed Tkach and opened fire on him, killing him. His body would later be discovered by his wife outside the checkpoint's hut.

Family
Tkach was survived by his wife and two daughters who fled to Volodymyr in Volyn Oblast following six months of occupation. Tkach's mother would flee to Russia four days after his death.