TNMU Mourns the Heroic Loss of Student and Combat Medic Vitalii Hakalo

The academic community of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University is deeply saddened by the heroic death of its student, Vitalii Hakalo (August 10, 2001 – July 27, 2026), who had been studying at the University since 2022 while serving as a combat medic under the call sign “Professor.”

Vitalii graduated from Kremenets Medical College in 2020.

From 2020, he worked as an emergency medical technician (paramedic) with the Ternopil Substation No. 3 of the Ternopil Regional Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine.

In 2022, he enrolled in the second year of the Medicine program at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University.

In May 2022, he accompanied emergency medical teams to Azovstal to assist in the evacuation of wounded defenders. On November 26, 2022, he was deployed to the Donetsk region, where he took part in combat operations in Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut, Soledar, and on the Lyman front.

Beginning in 2023, the Lyman direction became his primary area of military service.

In 2024, he participated in the battles for Pokrovsk and its surrounding areas.

In 2025, he continued serving on the Pokrovsk and Kursk fronts.

In October 2025, he signed a military contract and joined the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The entire TNMU community mourns this profound loss and extends its deepest condolences to Vitalii’s family, loved ones, and brothers-in-arms. He was a true Hero, a compassionate and selfless individual, and an exceptional medic who saved hundreds of lives. His courage, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to Ukraine will remain forever in our hearts and memory.

Eternal honor and everlasting memory to our Hero.

May he rest in peace.