Ukrainian freestyle fighter and protagonist of Tartak music video died at war

Yuriy Samanyuk, a well-known Ukrainian free-fighting fighter and hand-to-hand fighting promoter, commander of the separate mobile fire brigade Oril of the Kholodnyi Yar brigade, has died at the age of 36 during the liberation of Zaporizhzhya Region. This information was confirmed by the 93rd brigade press officer, Irina Rybakova, in Twitter, as Novoe Vremya writes.

Irina Rybakova also expressed her regret over the death of Yuri Samaniuk and noted that he was a wonderful man, who was not meant for war. Yuri was actively involved in fighting for various regions of Ukraine and was known for his active involvement in sports tourism, hand-to-hand hopscotch promotion and volunteer work in camps for orphans. He was also often featured in music videos of Ukrainian musicians and was known for his authentic Ukrainian Cossack looks.

Yuri Samaniuk's death was also reported by former soloist of Tartak, Alexander Polozhinsky, who expressed deep regret and wrote that Yuri was a cheerful and kind man, a talented sportsman and a reliable friend.

Yuriy is survived by his wife Galina Danchenko and two children. His farewell will take place in Kiev and then in his hometown of Vorokhta.