Veteran Combat Paramedic Vasyl Shyrokorad ‘Tourist’ Passes Away After Saving Lives on the Frontline

The Passing of Combat Paramedic and Tactical Medicine Instructor Vasyl Shyrokorad

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Vasyl Shyrokorad, a respected combat paramedic and instructor in tactical medicine known by his call sign 'Tourist,' has died. His passing was confirmed by Member of Parliament Yana Zinkevych and the medical battalion 'Hospitallers.' Throughout his service, Vasyl endured multiple injuries, underwent several surgeries, and contributed to training journalists in frontline first aid techniques.

His Role in Training Medical Personnel

During the summer and fall of 2021, Vasyl led critical training sessions equipping journalists with skills needed to safely operate in combat zones. He joined the 'Hospitallers' during Ukraine’s Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and also served in the Marine Corps. In January 2014, Vasyl participated in the Maidan protests in Odessa as part of the local self-defense forces. Despite being declared unfit for service after the tragic Ilovaisk events in August 2014, he nonetheless deployed to Donetsk with the 'Right Sector.'

He officially took the military oath in 2018. By 2020, Vasyl had fully transitioned to using the Ukrainian language and continued serving with the 'Hospitallers,' where he focused on teaching tactical medicine. Over the past year, his health deteriorated significantly: he sustained injuries while evacuating wounded soldiers in the Kherson region, underwent four surgeries-including a hip joint replacement-and suffered a heart attack just one month ago.

“Last night, we lost our comrade and brother, Vasyl Shyrokorad, known as ‘Tourist.’ Despite multiple wounds and many operations, his body endured tremendous hardships, but ultimately his heart stopped.” – Representatives of the 'Hospitallers'

Vasyl left a profound legacy in medical training and inspired many with his unwavering dedication. As Irina Zemlyana noted, “Vasyl was exceptionally skilled, with vast experience and confidence in his work.” Sergey Marin emphasized, “Until the end, this battle medic gave everything to support our Victory.”

The details regarding Vasyl Shyrokorad’s funeral, including date, time, and location, will be announced later. His death is a significant loss not only to the military community but also to the entire nation, where the memory of heroes fighting for independence will endure.

Other Ukrainian servicemen and public figures have also fallen on the front lines, including:

• Mykola Karpyuk
• Danilo Smyrnov, call sign ‘Surfer’
• Volunteer Marek Rusek-Volsky
• Lithuanian volunteer Ignas Kailus

Vasyl Shyrokorad’s death highlights the essential yet perilous role of military medics in active conflict zones. His dedication to training fellow medics and saving lives will be remembered by all who knew him, standing as a powerful example of commitment amid Ukraine’s ongoing conflict. This loss also serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made daily by those serving the country.

The loss of Vasyl Shyrokorad highlights the ongoing dangers faced by medical personnel in conflict zones. Similarly, the tragic fate of medic Alexey Naborsky, who was recently killed near Bakhmut, underscores the perilous conditions under which these heroes operate. Both individuals dedicated their lives to saving others, making their sacrifices a poignant reminder of the ongoing conflict's toll on those who serve on the frontlines.