A Ukrainian soldier is being hailed as a hero by officials after he made the ultimate sacrifice to block the advancement of Russian tanks.

Vitaly Skakun Volodymyrovych was a marine battalion engineer stationed at the Henichesk, one of the entry points into Ukraine from Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

According to the Ukrainian army’s high command, the decision was taken to blow up the bridge to delay the advance of Russian troops.

"According to his brothers in arms, Vitaly got in touch and said he was going to blow up the bridge," it said in a statement. "Immediately after, an explosion rang out."

Vitaly Skakun Volodymyrovych died immediately, the statement added.

The marine will received posthumous honours.

So far, 198 people including three children have been killed due to the Russian invasion Ukraine, according to the country's health minister.