Ukrainian serviceman Volodymyr Rakov, who had been defending Ukraine from Russian occupiers since 2022, perished on January 6 while performing a combat mission. He was 30 years old.

Volodymyr Rakov was born in Yevpatoriia, in Ukrainian Crimea. He developed his career as a dancer and choreographer, training at the Broadway Dance Center in New York, Millennium in Los Angeles, and Movement Lifestyle in Los Angeles. In 2013, Rakov won the sixth season of the talent show Everybody Dance! on the STB television channel, earning the title of Ukraine’s best dancer. Volodymyr Rakov worked on the project as a choreographer in the following two seasons.

Volodymyr joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. He served in the 2nd Rifle Battalion of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after King Danylo.

The date and location of Ukraine’s defender’s farewell ceremony have not yet been announced. Volodymyr Rakov sacrificed his life for Ukraine’s peace and freedom. Eternal glory to the hero!