The Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense, for the Day of Military Intelligence of Ukraine, presented a booklet book about the deceased Ukrainian Hero of Ukraine, a scout of the special forces of the GUR Shaman within the framework of the project Vydatni Rozvidnyky (famous scouts), VitalIy Ihnatenko, (call sign German).

At a presentation in the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Friday, Olha Mosiondz, a representative of the GUR, the author of the Vydatni Rozvidnyky project, noted that the booklet about Vitaliy Ihnatenko is the third story that will be included in the book about outstanding intelligence officers who changed the course of the war with their exploits.

“Vitaliy Ihnatenko is one of those who ‘met’ Russian special forces at the Antonov airfield, took part in the legendary battle at the Hostomel glass factory, took residents out of Bucha, stopped Russians in Irpin, shed blood for Moschun. He repulsed the invaders in Kharkiv region, Donbas and southern Ukraine, went on raids into the deep rear of the enemy, fought off the Snake island,” said Mosiondz.

The wife of the fallen Hero Iryna Ihnatenko noted that Vitaliy was always perceived as a professional military man, but he had a technical education. According to her, Vitaliy has been interested in weapons since childhood, learned how to make cartridges and was well-versed in the terrain.

She added that in 2024, her and Vitaliy's marriage would have been 30 years old.

“Vitaliy, despite the constant tasks, wounded, always found time to take care of us. I helped the guys to equip the basement, told them where the exits should be, how much water supplies were needed, suddenly what … Then he told our 15-year-old son: ‘Now you are responsible for mom. You're the main man here. He is still the main man in the house, as Dad taught,” Iryna said.

The Hero's mother Nadezhda Ihnatenko noted that her son's cats were another great love - he brought them home from almost every long rotation.

Vitaliy began his combat career in 2015, mobilized into the volunteer battalion Donbas (National Guard), then served in the 72nd brigade named after the Black Cossacks, and already his twin scouts from the GUR attracted the warrior to important tasks. On February 24, 2022, during the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, the German fought back against the invaders as part of the special forces of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Shaman.

The intelligence indicated that since February 24, 2022, virtually no operation of the special forces of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Shaman took place without the participation of Vitaliy Ihnatenko, who was one of those who formed this elite battalion.

Ihnatenko's wife also said that the Dora rifle, which Vitaliy did not part with, improved and made cartridges for it, was “the only one which his wife allowed Vitaliy to call “beloved" besides herself.

The GUR pointed out that this is a rather difficult weapon, from which not everyone will be able to shoot, the caliber is 14.5 mm. The rifle was almost of its own production. The large caliber ensured that much better performance was achieved compared to conventional weapons. Ihnatenko and his brother Oleh Zaitsev were the first to use this type of weapon. Currently, the rifle has been upgraded and put into mass production.

The booklet quotes commander of the special forces of the GUR, Shaman, who noted that the battalion was created from the so-called combat agents - military personnel who, at the time of the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, were among the most trained and experienced. Also, commander of the special forces of the GUR Shaman stressed that Vitaliy Ihnatenko and Oleh Zaitsev "became the basis for the creation of our unit."

“They concentrated on themselves in the lion's share of the training of other veterans who had no experience, but were eager to defend Ukraine,” the message reads.

They also carried out measures to repel the large-scale invasion of the Russians. We all understood that it would happen, and we were preparing to fight back. It wasn't just a spontaneous call. Vitaliy and Oleh, together were the perfect connection to perform important tasks. No operation at the beginning of the invasion was complete without their participation,” the commander is quoted in the booklet.

Ihnatenko was one of those who first stormed the then-Russian-occupied Snake Island. The German died on May 7, 2022 during the first landing on the Snake island. As part of the combined units, Ihnatenko, along with his partner Zaitsev, during a fierce battle with the invaders, covered the retreat of his brothers, saving the lives of many Ukrainian defenders.

For outstanding personal achievements revealed during the performance of combat missions to deter and repel Russia's armed aggression, soldier Ihnatenko was awarded the highest title of the state - Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the Golden Star. His name and feat are forever imprinted on the pages of the Book of Glory” of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

The brochure, illustrated with archival photos of Hero Ihnatenko, was presented on the Day of Military Intelligence of Ukraine in order to honor Ukrainian defenders and defenders who fought for freedom and their own statehood in different eras, as well as to popularize the history of the country among Ukrainians and especially young people, in particular the modern national liberation struggle against Russian aggression.

The project of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Vydatni Rozvidnyki is designed to preserve the memory of Ukrainian heroes and the history of the struggle of the Ukrainian Defense Forces against Russian invaders.