Exclusive Interview: "Immortal Souls Protect Ukraine" — A Tribute to Captain Vladyslav Horban

Yusuf İnan 

Journalist | Political & Strategic Analyst

The Immortal Souls of Heavenly Heroes Protect Ukraine: A Tribute to Captain Vladyslav Horban

Interviewer: Yusuf Inan Guest: Kateryna Horban (Wife of the fallen Hero)

Introduction: Vladyslav Vyacheslavovych Horban was a Captain in the 18th Separate Army Aviation Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, serving as the commander of a helicopter flight within a helicopter squadron. A dedicated pilot of the Mi-8 helicopter, he defended Ukraine’s independence throughout his adult life, serving in the ATO/JFO zones and from the very first moments of the full-scale invasion.

On March 6, 2022, Captain Horban was killed in action near Mykolaiv while defending his country. He left behind his wife, Kateryna, and their 3-year-old son, Kyrylo. We spoke with his widow about his life, his heroism, and the legacy he leaves behind.

YUSUF INAN: Kateryna, thank you for speaking with us. Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your husband, Captain Vladyslav Horban? How would you define him as a person and a soldier?

KATERYNA HORBAN: I am Kateryna Ihorivna Horban, the wife of the fallen pilot, Captain Vladyslav Horban.

Vladyslav was born in the village of Kyrykivka in the Sumy region, on his mother's 20th birthday. He was a patriot from childhood. After the 9th grade, he entered the "Cadet Corps" Lyceum with enhanced military-physical training. He chose the path of army aviation and graduated from the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University in Kharkiv. He was then stationed in Poltava with the 18th Separate Army Aviation Brigade named after Ihor Sikorsky.

He was intelligent, kind, and brave. He constantly fought for justice and never offended anyone. He was tactful, responsible, and competent in his work, and his charisma was memorable to everyone. He dreamed of a large family and was surrounded by friends and loved ones. He was the best person in every sense of the word, and he will remain so forever in my heart. He would have turned 28 this April.

YUSUF INAN: How did your story begin? How did you meet Vladyslav?

KATERYNA HORBAN: Vlad and I are from the same village, Kyrykivka, but we met for the first time as students in Kharkiv. He was studying to be a pilot, and I was studying radio engineering at the Aviation University. We met in a newly opened café while home on break.

He saw me there, and as he later said, it was love at first sight. The next day, he asked me out via social media. I agreed because I liked him too. By the third day, he confessed his love. We dated for three years and agreed to marry after graduation. We planned everything: to live for ourselves for a year, and then have a child. Exactly as planned, after two years of marriage, our son Kyrylo was born.

YUSUF INAN: Do you remember the day the full-scale invasion began, February 24, 2022? What was his reaction?

KATERYNA HORBAN: At around 4:00 AM on February 24, a phone call woke us up. Vladyslav was called from work and told: "It has started. First readiness."

He began packing his things to go to the base. He kissed me and left. At that moment, I felt something was wrong—it felt like he was kissing me for the last time. I was so scared. From that very first day, Vladyslav was defending the Ukrainian sky. For his actions during those early days, he was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III degree.

YUSUF INAN: Can you tell us about the circumstances of his death?

KATERYNA HORBAN: It was only after his death that I learned the details. Vladyslav, operating from the sky, had helped destroy a massive column of the Russian army that was advancing toward Kryvyi Rih through Bashtanka in the Mykolaiv region.

However, after successfully completing this combat mission, the enemy was waiting for our helicopters. On March 6, 2022, Russian occupiers shot down two helicopters from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Six defenders who were heroically protecting their land died that day, including my husband. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, II degree.

YUSUF INAN: The state lost a highly trained pilot. How did his friends, colleagues, and the authorities react?

KATERYNA HORBAN: The state indeed lost a well-trained pilot; he was educated at the state's expense and served with distinction. No one thought the occupiers would shoot down his helicopter. His brothers-in-arms were in shock; they didn't expect this to happen. But sadly, nothing can be changed now.

I am still in contact with his friends. They support me and help however they can. Tragically, some of his friends were among the six who died that same day when the two helicopters were downed.

YUSUF INAN: Did he ever have a premonition that he might not return? Did he speak to you about death?

KATERYNA HORBAN: I don't know if he sensed it. He always tried to calm me down; he worried more about me and our son. I remember telling him, "I am so afraid we will lose each other." He would answer, "Don't worry, my love, everything will be fine." But the worst happened. I lost my beloved husband.

YUSUF INAN: You have a son together. Does he know? How is he coping with his father's absence?

KATERYNA HORBAN: Our son Kyrylo looks very much like his father. He was only three years old when Vladyslav died; he is four now. I told him almost immediately that his daddy became an angel in the sky, that he watches over us and protects us because he loves us.

But he is a child. He still waits for his dad to come home. He thinks his dad is just at work, flying in the sky.

YUSUF INAN: You must miss him terribly. Have you seen him in your dreams?

KATERYNA HORBAN: The sadness, grief, and pain I feel now cannot be expressed in words. I remember one dream where he held my hand and smiled. It felt so real, as if I could actually feel his touch. Unfortunately, I haven't had other dreams like that since.

YUSUF INAN: You have launched a petition regarding your husband. What is your goal?

KATERYNA HORBAN: I believe that all heroes who defended and are defending our motherland deserve the title of Hero of Ukraine. It is incredibly difficult work.

I hoped my husband would receive this award automatically. He was a patriot from childhood, he dedicated his life to military aviation, and he fought to the very last moment. When more than 10 months passed without this recognition, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I created a petition to the President requesting that Captain Vladyslav Vyacheslavovych Horban be granted the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously). I hope people who care about our heroes will support him.

[Link to Petition: https://petition.president.gov.ua/petition/175442]

YUSUF INAN: Where are you living now, and where is your husband resting?

KATERYNA HORBAN: I currently live with our son in Poltava, in my beloved Ukraine. Vladyslav was buried in the Central Cemetery in his native village of Kyrykivka, Sumy region. I spend one week in Poltava and one week with his parents in Kyrykivka. When I am there, I go to the cemetery every other day to bring fresh flowers. Neither I nor his parents can fully believe what happened. We haven't accepted the loss, and I don't know when our souls will heal.

YUSUF INAN: How do you view Turkey's stance during this war?

KATERYNA HORBAN: I am not a politician, but I can say that Turkey is a country of good people. I thank you for helping Ukraine, specifically for the supply of Bayraktars, and for not being indifferent to the tragedy happening in our country.

YUSUF INAN: What are your plans for the future?

KATERYNA HORBAN: I have only one plan for the future: to raise our son. I want to do everything to ensure he is proud of his father and knows that his dad is a Hero of Ukraine.

Looking back, I wish that no one else—no other parents or children—ever has to witness such a terrible war or lose their closest, most beloved people.

Dedicated to the memory of Captain Vladyslav Horban and all the fallen defenders of the Ukrainian sky. True Heroes of Ukraine.

Yusuf İnan

www.wisenewspress.com

Yusuf İnan is a journalist and author. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of WiseNewsPress.com, SehitlerOlmez.com, and YerelGundem.com, and specializes in strategic and political analysis of Turkish and global affairs.