Medical student Vitalii Hakalo who evacuated the wounded from Azovstal has been killed in action – photos
Student and combat medic Vitalii "Professor" Hakalo, who took part in evacuating wounded defenders from the Azovstal steel plant in 2022, has been killed in action.
Source: First Volunteer Mobile Hospital on Facebook; Department of Health of Ternopil Oblast State Administration on Facebook
Details: The life of the 24-year-old man was cut short on 27 July.
Vitalii decided to become a doctor when he was still a child, and in 2020 he graduated from Kremenets Medical College. He worked as a paramedic on an ambulance, and in May 2022 he accompanied emergency medical teams during the evacuation of the wounded from Azovstal in Mariupol – a humanitarian mission described as one of the most dangerous of the war.
Vitalii went on to continue his studies at Ternopil National Medical University. Alongside his studies, he worked, and later volunteered for the front line, where he served as a combat medic.
He carried out missions with the First Volunteer Mobile Hospital and Hospitallers teams, and in October 2025 joined the ranks of the 67th Separate Mechanised Brigade of Ukraine's Armed Forces. Vitalii served in Donetsk Oblast, particularly near Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut and Soledar and on the Lyman, Pokrovsk and Kursk fronts.
Yana Zinkevych, the founder and commander of Hospitallers, explained that Vitalii's alias was not acquired by accident but reflected his exceptional abilities. He found ways to keep studying even at the front line and dreamed of becoming a doctor.
Quote from Zinkevych: "He had colossal potential – he had everything it takes to become one of the youngest doctors of medical science. He used to say: 'Medicine is what I do best.' He also liked to repeat: 'Think less – do more!' Vitalii often said that the war had changed his attitude towards people: if we don't help one another, the world and morality will simply fall apart. We haven't just lost a talented doctor, but a very kind, cheerful and reliable friend."
Details: Despite his military service, Vitalii successfully continued his studies at medical university and was proud that he had no outstanding coursework assignments, as he always managed to complete tasks and hand in his work on time.
"For us, Vitalii will forever remain a sincere, cheerful and caring person. He truly loved medicine and dreamed of becoming a good doctor – someone people could trust and who was always ready to help," the First Volunteer Mobile Hospital wrote.
Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.