Ukrainian volunteer spent extended periods on the Lithuanian steppe. His remains are now being returned home.
Lithuanian Volunteer Tomas Valentėlis Killed in Action in Ukraine
Tomas Valentėlis, a Lithuanian volunteer, lost his life in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He was among the international volunteers who joined Ukrainian forces to aid in resisting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which intensified significantly starting in 2022.
Valentėlis's death occurred in the Kupiansk district in north-eastern Ukraine on March 13. The exact circumstances surrounding his death are not fully known, but it is understood that he and another volunteer made a fatal mistake by crossing an open area, exposing them to enemy fire.
Valentėlis, who was 25 years old, had joined the military in Ukraine and was stationed in a damaged building near Kupyansk. The platoon he was part of was marked by significant losses, with many soldiers killed, injured, or sick.
According to Dainius, Valentėlis's father, Tomas became withdrawn and quiet at the age of 15. This change in personality persisted, leading up to his decision to volunteer in Ukraine. However, other soldiers did not see any signs of disappointment from him.
Valentėlis's body lay in the fields for several weeks before it was recovered during a high-risk operation coordinated by Vygindas Ušinskas, another Lithuanian volunteer. The operation was challenging due to injuries among the soldiers and intense enemy fire. Only a Ukrainian drone was able to reach Tomas, but other soldiers were unable to get to his location.
It's not uncommon for foreign volunteers to cancel their contract and leave early, according to Jara, another Lithuanian soldier who was also one of Tomas's commanders. However, Valentėlis had served his minimum six-month contract.
The decision was made to attack the Russian soldiers, resulting in the killing of one and the wounding of the other. Unfortunately, Valentėlis was not able to retreat and was killed in the ensuing firefight.
It's worth noting that many foreign volunteers, like Valentėlis, come to Ukraine motivated by solidarity, personal convictions, or a desire to defend democratic values against aggression. However, the risks are high, as demonstrated by Valentėlis's tragic death.
As of the latest figures, some 60,000 people, both soldiers and civilians, are missing in Ukraine. The ongoing war has taken a heavy toll on all those involved, and the need for support and solidarity remains.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Tomas Valentėlis during this difficult time. May he rest in peace, and may his sacrifice not be forgotten.
- His decision to join the Ukrainian forces in war-and-conflicts, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was driven by a strong sense of politics, with an objective to defend democratic values against aggression.
- The general-news of Tomas Valentėlis's death serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing war and conflicts in Ukraine, highlighting the risks faced by foreign volunteers who come to support the country in its fight.
