Famous Ukrainian actor Yakiv Tkachenko killed in action

Theatre and film actor Yakiv Tkachenko has been killed in action. He joined the Ukrainian defence forces in the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: film director Oles Sanin on Facebook

Quote from Sanin: "We talked two days ago. He was one of the most talented Ukrainian actors. A true knight. A true friend. My deepest condolences to Yakiv's family and friends. Eternal glory to the hero!"

Details: Actor Yevhen Chernykov also reacted to the death of his colleague.

"Extraordinary and bright. I have known Yakiv since 2016; I saw him grow up as a sincere patriot of our country! From the very first days he defended us as part of the Territorial Defence Forces and later joined the 3rd Assault Brigade.

Yakiv created many vivid characters in our cinema and will forever remain in our hearts and memories. To be a warrior is to live forever," he said.

Casting director Alla Samoilenko also posed a tribute to Yakiv Tkachenko. 

"So cinematic, so talented. A treasure. A man of gold. My great, great acting love and pride. He comes home on the shield. Emptiness," she wrote.

Yakiv Tkachenko is known for his roles in the films Chernovyi (Red), Pryputni (The Strayed), Tsina Pravdy (The Price of Truth), Bezslavni Kripaky (Inglorious Slaves) and Dovbush. The actor played one of his last roles in the TV series Pereviznytsia (The Carrier).

In the first days of the full-scale invasion, Yakiv Tkachenko joined the territorial defence unit in Dnipro. As a member of the 128th Brigade, he took part in the battles in Donetsk Oblast. He was wounded twice, but each time he returned to action.

In 2023, Yakiv Tkachenko left the army but later came back to the front as part of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.

In an interview with Detector Media, the actor said that it was his conscious decision to rejoin the Armed Forces.

"To be honest, when I left, I was sure that I was temporarily taking off my uniform and would return to the army after a while.

I didn't know where I would return – either to my unit where I started my service or to some other unit – but I knew for sure that I would definitely be in the army as long as this war was going on," said Yakiv Tkachenko.

Previously: On 2 December, Ukrainian musician and soldier Yurii Melofon was killed in action.

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