A historian from Ternopil, a Candidate of Historical Sciences and associate professor of the Department of Ukrainian History at Volodymyr Hnatyuk National Pedagogical University, Volodymyr Broslavskyi, died defending the state from Russia’s full-scale invasion. The tragic death was announced by Yuriy Kulpa, spokesman of the 105th Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, on his Facebook page:
Unfortunately, the best are leaving the world. A professional, a patriot, a person of great stature. Everyone knew him – reliable, brave, always beside his comrades-in-arms
– Yuriy Kulpa
In his post, the officer described one of the operations in which they participated together:
“Horvat promised to take us to where his guys worked. He knew all the routes, changing them under fire. But this time we took the hardest path – because there the best awaited. Halfway there, over the radio: “OSA” is working. We turned around, drove into the forest, took positions. An enemy drone hovered. Volodymyr Broslavskyi opened fire, trying to shoot it down. It failed, but there were no casualties. We moved on. We changed the route, went through the forest. And just a kilometer away – we were where we needed to be. Our guys rejoiced, greeted us, we worked together against the enemy”
– Yuriy Kulpa
Volodymyr Broslavskyi at the wheel of the all-terrain vehicle. Yuriy Kulpa.
About the soldier’s death was written by a fighter of the 105th Brigade, Volodymyr Birchak:
“Lyubomirovych, you were a teacher, both at the university and in the war. You were a true and caring commander, but most importantly you were a true and sincere friend. I will never forget our late-night conversations at the airport, the road we walked shoulder to shoulder near Kupiansk and in the Sumy region, our ‘clock-checks’ over tea and coffee in Velika Pysarivka. Rest with God, friend. Honor. We will avenge. The only thing I can promise”
– Volodymyr Birchak
On the page of the Ternopil National Pedagogical University they also reported the death of Volodymyr Broslavskyi:
“His life was a model of devotion to science, students, and Ukraine. Within the walls of the university, Volodymyr Lyubomirovych left behind not only substantial scientific contributions, but also invaluable human warmth, kindness, and the ability to inspire. In addition to scientific and pedagogical activity, he was an active participant in public life. Dozens of various projects were realized at his initiative, aimed at supporting and motivating talented schoolchildren and university students”
– Ternopil National Pedagogical University
Volodymyr Broslavskyi was born on April 22, 1979, in the town of Berezhany. He finished a local school and later studied at the History Faculty of the Ternopil Pedagogical Institute. From his fourth year, he worked in the university’s Department of Educational Work.
In 2001 he graduated with honors and continued to work at the institution – initially at the Faculty of History, then in the scientific department. He also engaged in teaching activities. In 2004 he was elected head of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of TNPU. Since 2006 he was the head of the Department of Educational Work, and since 2013 – the Department of Youth Affairs. In 2007 he defended his candidate dissertation “Agrarian Policy of the Russian Tsarist Regime in Right-Bank Ukraine in 1793 – 1861: Changes in Land Ownership and Land Use”. In 2012 he began creating the educational portal “Academy”. Since December 2014 he led the public organization “Institute of Modernization of Society”.
In May 2015 Volodymyr Broslavskyi was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He received the status of participant in hostilities, was awarded the honorary breast badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “For Exemplary Military Service” of the third degree. In July 2018 the historian represented the university at the International Forum for University Rectors in the city of Shenyang in China. Since 2019 he was responsible for cooperation between TNPU and Shenyang Pedagogical University, coordinating the TNPU’s Confucius Institute named after Volodymyr Hnatyuk.
After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Broslavskyi again stood up to defend the state. At first he protected the sky as part of an anti-aircraft gun crew, later served in a counter-sabotage unit, carried out combat missions in Donbas and Kharkiv region. Later in a mortar battery he fought in Donbas and Sumy region.
Legacy and memory of the community
The name of Volodymyr Broslavskyi remains a symbol of the union of scholarly work and service to the state. His contributions in the field of Ukrainian history and public life remain an example for students, colleagues, and the youth who strongly strive to develop education and science in the country.