MARCH 1, 1989 — JUNE 14, 2023
34 YEARS, SOUND PRODUCER
«The wise can’t be fooled, the honest can’t be bribed, the brave can’t be broken» is what Ivan Shulga wrote on his social media profile.
After the start of the war in 2022 Ivan wrote that everyone fighting on the front was doing so for their loved ones, their future, and our country. Shoulder to shoulder, firmly clutching their weapons, they found themselves with the people who would have hardly ever met in civilian life, yet they all have common goals, and they are fighting tooth and nail for victory. «Self-awareness is abruptly broken by the call on the radio right next to your ear, you spring up from the ground, shift gears, and after a short “Roger. I’m on it”, you proceed on your way», wrote Ivan.
Back in 2015, Ivan was part of Starlight Media team, he worked on many STB television channel projects. When the full-scale invasion happened, the sound producer left the set to defend Ukraine on the battlefield. He was in charge of communications during missions. His friends and family say that Ivan’s decision to go to war did not come as a surprise. They say he was a life-long patriot and defender of his home country.
Ivan was quite a character. He had his hair dyed blue, which got him a nickname Vania Smurf. He was «a man as direct as they come», as his friends remember in their posts. He was the lead singer of the Termination Central rock band. He started his music career back in the school storage room, and set plenty of parties ablaze.
Ivan was wounded in an artillery strike; he was conscious and could speak. He was transported to the medical facility, where he passed away. Unofficial cause of death was internal bleeding. Hundreds of people came to pay their respects and bid farewell on June 20, 2023. The soldier is laid to rest at the Heroes Avenue of Berkovetske cemetery in Kyiv. Ivan left his wife and underage son.
«Quiet on set!», Ivan used to say in his line of work. His trademark “check, check, check” was the way he tested microphones. Quiet on set... Quiet forever now.
