Vitaliy was born on July 3, 1977 in the urban-type settlement of Chkalovskoe (now the settlement of Prolisne) of the Chuguyiv district of the Kharkiv region. He studied until the 9th grade at the Chkalovskoe comprehensive school, and then at the Chuguyiv lyceum No. 2. He graduated from the lyceum in 1994.
After graduating from high school, he entered the Kharkiv State Technical University of Radio Electronics. He graduated in 1999 and received the qualification of a systems engineer (specialty "computer and intellectual systems and networks") and received the military rank of reserve lieutenant. After graduation, he worked in his specialty.
In 2015, Vitaliy was called up for military service. He served in one of the training centers. After returning to civilian life, Vitaliy continued to work in his specialty. His last place of work was JSC «Gas Distribution System Operator «KHARKIVGAZ»» as a system administrator.
With the beginning of the full-scale war, already on 02/24/2022, Vitaliy was called up for mobilization by the Chuguiv RTCC and SP to the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and sent to the 125th separate battalion of the Territorial Defense Forces, in order to stand up for the defense of the Motherland together with his fellow countrymen. He served as the head of the electronic warfare group of the headquarters of the 125th separate battalion of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On 05/27/2022, while performing a combat mission, during enemy artillery shelling of the unit's position, Vitaliy received a mine-explosive injury, a gunshot shrapnel wound, but after a short treatment he returned to combat duty.
Circumstances of death:
In April 2025, the 125th separate battalion of the TRO, in which Vitaliy Zaporizhsky served, performed tasks in the Kupyansk direction of combat operations within the Dvorichansk territorial community of the Kupyansk district. At 7:35 on 17.04.2025, the enemy dropped a drone from the direction of the settlement of Petrivka on the positions of the EW "MORZH", which were located near the settlement of Krasne Pershe. Captain Vitaliy Zaporizhsky, being at the EW combat position, received injuries incompatible with life.
On April 19, 2025, the community, with deep sadness, saw off their fellow countryman, soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Captain Vitaliy Zaporizhsky. The burial took place on the Alley of Memory in Chuhuiv with full military honors.
The soldier is survived by his wife and minor son, who live in the city of Chuguiv.
Vitaliy Oleksiyovych was repeatedly awarded with diplomas, thanks, and commemorative medals. He considered the most valuable for himself: the Order of the President of Ukraine "For the Defense of Ukraine" (Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 559/2022 of 08/05/2022); the honorary breastplate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Silver Cross" (Order No. 2241 of 09/27/2023).
Chuguiv gas workers decided to honor the memory of their fallen colleague-defender Vitaliy Zaporizhsky by installing a memorial plaque on the facade of the enterprise's administrative building.
On April 16, 2026, the Chuhuyiv community presented the state award — the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III degree — to the wife of the fallen soldier Zaporizhzhia Vitaliy Oleksiyovych. The award, with which the President of Ukraine posthumously awarded the captain for his courage and heroism, was presented to his wife during a solemn ceremony. This award is a recognition of the courage of Vitaliy, who until his last breath performed combat missions, defending Ukraine.
DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE No. 989/2025
About honoring with state awards of Ukraine
For personal courage shown in protecting the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless performance of military duty, I decree:
To be awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd degree
ZAPORIZHSKY Vitaliy Alekseevich (posthumously) - captain
President of Ukraine V. ZELENSKYI
December 25, 2025