At the beginning of August, Finnish volunteer Ville Mykkänen was killed in battles in Luhansk. He became the fifth soldier from Finland to give his life for Ukraine.
This was reported by Yle.
The soldier was 26 years old. He was born in the Finnish town of Pyhäjärvi. Before deciding to become a volunteer, he was involved in politics and served as the head of the youth branch of the Centre Party of Northern Pohjanmaa.
Mykkänen’s family did not want him to remain an unknown soldier. Juha Kreus, the executive director of the Association of Combatants, reported that the information about the volunteer’s death was released at the request of his family.
It is noted that after Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, Mykkänen decided to enlist as a volunteer and fight on the side of Ukraine.
"From a young age, he wanted to change the world for the better and increase justice in it. His long journey began with politics and continued with his decision to join the military in Ukraine," the obituary states.
His military journey began in late autumn 2023.
"Ville was a defender of justice," said Annti Kaikkonen, head of the Centre Party and current Minister of Defence of Finland.
The news of his death shocked not only his family but also his colleagues in the political party, friends, and community members.
"He had a strong will to defend a free nation. Ultimately, under the combat alias 'Squall,' he made the greatest sacrifice anyone could make, giving his life for freedom," the obituary reads.
