Biography

At the age of 14, he joined the National Scout Organization of Ukraine «Plast.» He belonged to the «Grey Wolves» group, which was part of the 29th Yuriy Starosolsky Troop. In 2004, he became one of the co-founders and the first leader of the 77th troop named after Ivan Gavdyda. Later, he became a member of the 15th troop of the Ukrainian Scouting Organization «Order of the Iron Spike» named after Sviatoslav the Conqueror.

Viktor Gurnyak was not only a Plast member, but also a member of the Ukrainian National Corps, a shining example of an active public figure who defended his rights and his homeland, giving his life for the cause.

Viktor was also the founder and first head of the Ternopil city branch of the Free Ukraine Youth Movement in 2005.

In the summer of 2014, he voluntarily joined the 24th Territorial Defense Battalion «Aidar.» Viktor Hurnyak died on October 19, 2014, while transporting the wounded under mortar fire in the area of the 32nd checkpoint near the village of Smile in the Luhansk region.

Viktor Hurnyak was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage III degree, the Plast Iron Cross, the Plast Bronze Cross for heroic deeds, and the distinction of «People's Hero of Ukraine.»

«Viktor Gurnyak was an example of a person who worked on himself in accordance with the Plast values enshrined in the Plast oath and law. He was determined, had big dreams, and aspired to great things. In his impulses, he could do a lot of crazy things, but until the end of his life, he strove to correct everything that was wrong and to constantly grow and become better. When I turned to him, he was always ready to help. Dangers and difficulties did not repel him, but rather fascinated him,» recalls Mykola Bigus about Viktor Hurniak.