"She loved being a riflewoman." The story of a 19-year-old Ukrainian defender
Tvoe Misto tells the story of Yulia Boyanovska, who returned home on a shield.
Yulia was born in the village of Knyselo, part of the Bibrka community. As a child, she was passionate about drawing and attended art school, where she honed her talent.
"Yulia was quiet and introspective, always pondering something, dreaming of Ukraine’s victory in the war," her mother shares.
In 2021, Yulia enrolled at the Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies to study Management. She studied there for only two years before joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Her mother found out about it later.
“Everything with her was always ‘luxury’: her mother’s memories
Yulia, with the call sign "Tysha," served as a senior grenade launcher operator in the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. By December 2023, she was already operating in hot spots.
Her mother says Yulia didn’t tell her about her decision to join the military because she knew she wouldn’t get approval:
"Last year, she told me she was moving out of the dormitory because she found a job in Kyiv. She would visit occasionally, saying she was attending some workshops. I was strongly against her leaving university, so she listened to me and switched to part-time studies."
After moving to Kyiv, communication between mother and daughter became less frequent. Yulia often didn’t answer calls and usually phoned in the evenings. It was only when Mrs. Halyna mentioned she would visit that Yulia admitted she had joined the 3rd Assault Brigade and was going to the military. She asked her mother not to come, as she was heading to England for training.
19-year-old Yulia Boyanovska joined the 3rd Assault Brigade last fall. She served under contract as a senior grenade launcher operator. She was deployed to the hottest front-line areas, including Avdiivka and the Luhansk and Donetsk directions. To her mother, however, she said that her brigade was stationed at remote positions near Kharkiv.
"Her comrades say she loved being a riflewoman: when she fired, she smiled and felt happy. She didn’t always share everything with me, but now I know she was constantly on the front lines, always part of assaults, always with the infantry..." her mother recalls.
Yulia never returned home or took leave. She was supposed to be given time off a month ago, but there was no replacement for her on the combat positions, and plans changed.
"She always told me not to worry, that everything would be fine. I was scared, but she reassured me that everything was okay. For her, everything was always 'luxury,' she would say that word all the time. But I couldn’t sleep peacefully, constantly thinking about her, as did my son, who was also deeply worried about his sister," her mother adds.
Halyna Boyanovska says that when her daughter was at her positions, there was virtually no communication. Yulia would call or message to say everything was fine only when they changed locations.
"Our last conversation was on Sunday evening. She told me they were being sent to positions for five days or more. I asked again if everything was fine, and she repeated, 'It’s all luxury,' although I could hear the fatigue in her voice. On Tuesday morning, I found out that my daughter had died. I didn’t believe it. I called her friends and comrades, but they were all out of reach. Later, one of her friends confirmed it again: ‘Tysha’ is gone..."
"Living my life… at war." Memories of a friend
Yulia’s friend Ivanna shares that in August-September 2022, Yulia joined the Right Sector. She actively participated in training, rallies, and attended the funerals of fallen soldiers — her heart ached for every one of these lost lives.
"I knew she would join the military sooner or later because she was so passionate about it. Eventually, Yulia told me, ‘I’m going to war. Sign the application to join the military on behalf of my mom,’ but I refused. Despite this, she found a way to choose this path," recalls Ivanna.
"Tysha" told her friend how lucky she was with her unit:
"Yulia was happy to have found her place in the 3rd Assault Brigade. She spoke proudly about her service and said the army had changed her, helping her discover her true calling."
Her friend also remembers that Yulia specifically chose the infantry because she believed it was the foundation for all soldiers:
"I tried to dissuade her from this decision because she said the service was grueling. She talked about how all soldiers faced health issues, and once she even admitted that she had concussions, her legs hurt, and it was hard to carry gear or stay on the front line for long periods. But despite everything, she never gave up."
Another childhood friend, also named Ivanka, recalls that Yulia loved nature. She enjoyed camping in tents and washing in the river — it was her way of feeling connected to the environment.
This was their last evening together:
"My husband, Yulia, and I stayed up late, talking about the war, when it might end, and about victory. Yulia insisted that the war would last a long time, and afterward, we would have to rebuild the country from scratch. That evening, I noticed something unusual — Yulia, who usually stayed quiet and listened to others, was talkative and firmly expressed her opinions."
Her childhood friend emphasizes that no one truly believed Yulia would join the 3rd Assault Brigade. Yet, she remembers Yulia’s determination and her readiness to help others:
"When my husband went to war last year, Yulia immediately offered her help. She told me to reach out if I needed any gear or anything else. She made these offers without waiting to be asked," her friend shares.
She adds:
"Even during the war, Yulia said she was living her life, that everything was fine, and that everything would be 'luxury.' Her optimism and ability to cherish bright moments were incredible. She saw the grim side of war but always radiated joy and supported others."
The young defender, who believed in Ukraine’s victory, died on August 12 near the village of Hrekivka in the Luhansk region. Three days later, she was laid to rest in her native village in the Lviv region.
Antonina Kostyk
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