Ukrainian Scout Leader and Defender Romain ‘Orlyk’ Oryshchenko Killed in Frontline Attack
Amidst the grueling reality of the ongoing war on Ukrainian soil, the loss of a prominent figure like Romain Oryshchenko, known by his scout pseudonym 'Orlyk,' marks a profound tragedy that reverberates through the hearts of many Ukrainians. On July 2, during a missile strike by Russian forces, this brave and committed Ukrainian nationalist and scout leader was killed at the front lines. Oryshchenko was one of the most active supporters of Ukraine's independence, establishing and maintaining scout units since 1997 in the Cherkasy region. His death served as a stark reminder of the high price of freedom. The attack was inflicted by a guided aircraft bomb that struck his position, causing fatal injuries. Beyond his combat activities, Romain was a key participant in the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity, serving in the command staff of the Maidan Self-Defense and coordinating local self-defense units across various regions of Ukraine. From the start of the Anti-Terrorist Operation, he actively contributed to forming and supplying volunteer battalions, strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. In 2016, he earned his military credentials as an officer, and in 2020, he voluntarily joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces. During the full-scale invasion, Orlyk fought in the Kyiv region and later, as a captain and commander of the 2nd Motorized Infantry Company of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade, engaged in fierce battles near Kodema, Bakhmut, and Vuhledar in Donbas. Despite sustaining injuries, he repeatedly returned to the brutal front. Surviving family members include his wife Svitlana, son Andriy — who is also a serviceman — and daughter Daryna. His children continue his legacy as active scouts, committed to the fight for Ukraine’s independence. Recently, other high-ranking Ukrainian officers, Colonel Sergey Zakharevich and his deputy Dmytro Romanyuk, died during an attack by Russian forces. Their deaths underscore the relentless sacrifice required to defend the homeland and highlight the devastating human cost of the ongoing war.