Major Volodymyr Veklych Killed in Kharkiv Region: Legionnaire Wife Recounts Their Final Conversation

The Death of Major Volodymyr Veklych

According to Главком: Major Volodymyr Veklych was killed in action on October 19, 2025, near the settlement of Pishchane in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region. His death represents a profound loss for his family, friends, and fellow soldiers. Veklych was born on August 5, 1999, in the village of Zhuravne, Vinnytsia region. He was a graduate of the Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy in Lviv and had served with the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after Otaman Ivan Sirko. At the time of his death, he held the position of deputy commander of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 43rd Separate Mechanized Brigade.

Combat Service and Personal Life

Volodymyr Veklych participated in the Joint Forces Operation and saw active combat in numerous locations, including:

• Rohan
• Mala Rohan
• Biskvitne
• Koropy
• Stepanky
• Vilkhivka
• Sorokivka
• and others

During the Kharkiv counteroffensive, his unit operated across areas including Vovchyi Yar, Stepok, Kalynivka, Taranushyne, and many other settlements. Major Veklych was laid to rest in his native village of Zhuravne.

In 2023, Volodymyr married Ketevan 'Keti' Leshkhasheli, a Georgian-born combat medic and sniper serving in the International Legion. They first met in September 2022 during the Kharkiv counteroffensive. He proposed in May 2023, and they officially registered their marriage in Druzhkivka on July 25. The couple held their church wedding on May 11, 2025. For her service, Keti Leshkhasheli was awarded the Gold Cross by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Following Volodymyr's death, Keti shared details of their last conversation. She recounted that he had told her communications would be unavailable the following day, after which she heard nothing more from him. The tragic news was later confirmed to her by one of Volodymyr's comrades.

On October 22, 2025, Kyrylo Agasiyev Yashar Oglu initiated a petition calling for Volodymyr Veklych to be posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, which garnered over 25,000 signatures of support.

The death of Volodymyr Veklych stands as another tragic testament to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

His service and dedication underscore the immense sacrifices made by Ukrainian forces in defending the nation's territorial integrity. The petition for his recognition reflects both public appreciation for his valor and the deep emotional bonds forged between military personnel and civilians during wartime.