Today’s Guard of Light, Bohdan Radchuk, was born and raised in the Rivne region. He took his first steps in the village of Velykyi Zholudsk and spent his childhood and youth in Varash. He studied radio engineering at Odessa Polytechnic University and later thermal power engineering at Rivne Institute of Water Management and Environmental Protection.

After graduation, he got a job at the Rivne nuclear power plant as a mechanic in the reactor department. His father, Vitalii Radchuk, also worked at the nuclear facility. Bohdan had a family and a hobby — boxing, so he had no time to get bored.

However, on February 24, 2022, the peaceful life of Ukrainians was disrupted by a major russian war…

“The first thing I did that day was call my father,” recalls Guard. "We agreed on a meeting place so we could go to the military registration office together. When we arrived at our destination, we were assigned to the 104th Brigade, 61st Battalion.

My mother and wife took the news painfully, but they supported our choice. They understood that there was no other way. The question of defending our homeland was not even raised in our family — it was clear without words that this was our duty as men, and we would not give Ukraine to anyone without a fight."

Until that day, our hero lacked military experience, aside from training at the Reserve Officers' Training Department of the Odessa Military Academy during his student years. He had to learn on the job and fought in fierce areas, especially Bakhmut. Bohdan was a platoon commander then.

“After gaining combat experience in Bakhmut, I was sent to Italy for two months,” says the defender. “There, I underwent training as a company commander. After successfully completing the training, I was transferred to the 101st Brigade, 212th Battalion, and appointed company commander. With my combat experience and new knowledge, I took part in battles in the Ivanivske direction. Later, I defended Toretsk and New York.”

During these battles, the nuclear power professional suffered two injuries. After the first, in May 2024, he continued to fight for his country, and after the second, in June 2024, he fought for his own life.

Bohdan Radchuk underwent 13 operations. He almost lost his hearing – only 40% of the hearing in one ear was restored. His left arm was also severely damaged and now functions with minor defects. But despite all the trials, our hero retained the most valuable thing – the desire to live and fight!

After a year of rehabilitation, the nuclear employee returned to work at the Rivne NPP, albeit in a different department. He openly admits that it was only thanks to Ukrainian doctors, as well as the support of his family and colleagues, that he was able to pull himself together and restore his physical and mental health.

“I am grateful to the doctors in Vinnytsia, who did their utmost to get me back on my feet, and to my family for their support throughout this journey. I would also like to thank the management and colleagues from the Production Preparation and Incoming Inspection Division of the Production Preparation Department of Energy Repair Shop, who are helping me to understand my responsibilities in my new position and sharing their experience. I really appreciate it.

In general, support, like faith, is a great driving force. My faith in God and in my own strength helped me stay on the front lines. I always prayed before each combat mission. Sometimes silently, and sometimes aloud for all my comrades! However, without my mother's prayers and the support of my wife and brother, I would not have been able to cope. This is what gave me the motivation and strength to move forward and keep up my spirits when things got tough.

But most of all, I am grateful to my father, who continues to fight for Ukraine today! In addition to his love for his homeland, he instilled military discipline in me from an early age. This foundation, as well as his guidance and words of support, helped me a lot on the front lines!”

Meanwhile, our Guard of Light, getting used to his new responsibilities and team, pays tribute to those who made this possible — the defenders who continue to protect Ukraine and hold back the enemy.

“Thank you for staying strong! I wish you health, strength, and fortitude to endure all trials. It is incredibly difficult — I know from my own experience. I also wish you a quick return home alive and unharmed to embrace your loved ones.

I really want Ukrainians who are in more or less safe regions to remember those who have given them this relative safety. Those who gave their lives for their peace and the opportunity to live as far away from the bloody war as possible.

I want people to learn to appreciate simple but important things: light and comfort in their homes, the opportunity to sleep in their own warm beds, to have cold and hot water, and food on the table.

And more to the point! I really hope that every Ukrainian realizes that living in an independent country without a bloody dictator is a great blessing! Independence is not presented — it is fought for! And this can only be done together, by uniting, with full cooperation between the rear and the frontline!”