"HRACH"

“Pirotekhnik,” “Piro,” “BD-02,” “Hrach.” Born on October 21, 2002, in the city of Kryvyi Rih, he carried a calling to serve from early childhood. Even as a small boy, Danylo showed a special interest in everything related to military service: his favorite toys were pistols, rifles, and toy soldiers. In those childhood games, the future path of a warrior could already be seen. During his school years, this interest became a conscious life choice. At the age of 14—still very young—Danylo independently joined a training group within a military community and began attending civic organizations and clubs where they taught tactics, first aid, and military training. He always стремував to know more, understand more deeply, and do better. He gave one hundred percent to every session and, even then, was able to teach others. After finishing school in 2018, he enrolled in the Kryvyi Rih boarding lyceum with enhanced military and physical training, and after graduating in 2020, he immediately decided to sign a contract with the National Guard of Ukraine, choosing the path of a sapper. During his rotation in Vuhledar, he met the full-scale invasion. There, in the south of the Donetsk Region, Danylo proved himself to be a brave and determined warrior. He took part in the liberation of the Kherson region, never hid from battle, and always went forward. After that rotation, Danylo received devastating news—the death of his father, Lieutenant Colonel Kandyba Serhii Mykhailovych, a Hero of Ukraine. At his mother’s request, he temporarily left service and tried to find himself in civilian life. But even then, his heart remained at war. He sewed military gear, and later worked in humanitarian demining. Yet no matter what he did, his thoughts returned again and again to the war—this calling was stronger than any circumstances. Danylo decided to return to the front and joined the “First Line” special unit within “Tymur’s Special Unit” of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. It was there that he fully раскрыўся: as a sapper, a warrior, and a leader. He gave one hundred percent to every operation, was a reliable плечe, and a spiritual pillar for his brothers-in-arms. Danylo took part in many special operations of military intelligence: — the landing on the Kinburn Spit, — operations at the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant, — the defense of Kruhliakivka, — defensive actions in Pokrovsk, — the Kupiansk operation, — the defense of the Sumy region, — and many other operations that remain classified. He carried his father’s legacy with dignity and honor, striving to be a достойний son and warrior. He walked the hard roads of war—from Vuhledar to the Kherson region. He witnessed the pain of loss but did not break. His heart always beat for truth, for freedom, and for those he loved. On July 12, 2025, during another rotation on the Sumy front, Danylo sustained burns to 80% of his body as a result of an удар by a “Molniia” UAV. His brothers-in-arms evacuated him quickly and delivered him to the hospital. For 21 days, Danylo and the doctors fought for his life. His spirit was extraordinarily strong, but, sadly, his body could not endure, and on August 3, 2025, Danylo passed away. His life, though short, became a path of service—continuous, conscious, and voluntary. It combined wisdom and maturity typical of people much older, and at the same time—light, kindness, and love for others. He knew how to unite people, find words of support, and give hope even in the darkest times. He was a son of Ukraine, a true warrior of light, and at the same time—a gentle, kind, sincere young man who knew how to love and share warmth. In his eyes, love for life and for family always lived. His death is not a defeat. It is a victory won at the price of the greatest sacrifice. He lived in a way that left light behind. And that light will remain with us forever. May the Lord receive Danylo’s soul into His Kingdom. May he be reunited there with his father and his brothers-in-arms. And for us—may there be the memory and the example of his courage, love, and faithfulness.