The funeral of a heroic Ukrainian marine who blew himself up to hold off Russian troops that were advancing along a bridge in Crimea at the start of the invasion has been held.
Vitaly Shakun was manning the Henichesk bridge in Kherson, Ukraine when enemy troops advanced and his battalion was left with no option but to blow up the bridge.
Shakun texted them and told them he was going to be the one to detonate the explosion despite there being no time for him to escape.
Seconds after his message was received, they heard the explosion, according to a post on the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Facebook page.
His heroic sacrifice slowed down the Russian advance and allowed his comrades to regroup and re-deploy.
Although it's unclear from social media images exactly where the 25-year-old lived, his funeral took place in his home town yesterday.
Pictures emerged showing thousands of locals lining the streets, bending down on one knee to honour the man as his coffin was driven through the streets.
Just days after his death, it was reported that the engineer would be honoured with posthumous awards for his bravery, according to a post from his comrades.
He was believed to be among the at least 137 people who died on the first day of the war.
Responding to images of the funeral on Twitter, one user wrote: “The difference Ukrainian individuals are making everywhere add up to the collective whole of a people who always understood and appreciated freedom and their need to fight for it.
“I often wonder if we do. My hope is that the beacon of their courage shines on those complacent.”
And Hayley Ream added: “Rest In Peace, Vitaly. I admire you more than words suffice.
“As a 25 year old myself, this is surreal. You deserved better. You will be remembered honourably.”
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