Radna Sakhaltuev, Ukrainian Animation Legend and Creator of Captain Vrungel, Dies at 90

Radna Sakhaltuev, one of the leading figures in Ukrainian animation, has passed away at the age of 90.

He was the creator of dozens of well-known Kyiv-based animated films, including Treasure Island, How the Cossacks Played Hockey, Doctor Aibolit, and The Adventures of Captain Vrungel.

Sakhaltuev’s death was reported by film critic Trymbach, actor Valeriy Chyhlyayev, and other acquaintances of the artist.

Radna Pylypovych Sakhaltuev was born in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, into a family of civil servants. In 1955, he enrolled in the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK), studying animation art.

After graduation, he was assigned to work in Kyiv, where he began his career at the Kyivnaukfilm studio. There, he joined a young, dynamic team dedicated to reviving Ukrainian animation, according to film critic Serhiy Trymbach.

Throughout his career, Sakhaltuev collaborated with many talented colleagues. He co-created Family Marathon with Volodymyr Dakhno, Svitchina’s Wedding with Tadeush Pavlenko based on Ivan Kocherha’s play, The Scarecrow, and A Tale of Moonlight with Irina Hurvich, among many others.

In addition to his work in animation, in the 1970s and 1980s, Sakhaltuev was one of the leading artists of the Ukrainian satirical magazine Perets. He also contributed illustrations to the iconic children’s magazine Piznayko and illustrated books for publishing houses including Veselka, Youth, and Morning.

In 2008, he was honored with the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine for his outstanding contributions to the arts.

A farewell ceremony will be held at Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv on September 2.

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