"KRAVA"

Senior Soldier Mykola Kravchenko, call sign “KRAVA,” was born in the village of Ukrainka, Kharkiv Oblast. He later lived in the town of Barvinkove, where he spent his school years and studied at a vocational lyceum. After graduating, Mykola worked as a track maintenance worker for Ukrzaliznytsia. In 2017, he began compulsory military service in Rubizhne, Luhansk Oblast. A few months after completing that service, Mykola signed a contract and joined the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Kish Otaman Ivan Sirko. During his service, he held the positions of rifleman, machine gunner, and BTR-4E driver. He took part in the Joint Forces Operation (ATO). He was awarded the Ivan Sirko medal for valor, honor, and glory shown during combat operations in defense of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity. From June 2021 to February 2022, Mykola was at home and working. In July, he married, and in December the couple welcomed their first child. On 15 February, he signed another military contract. On 24 February, the full-scale invasion began. Together with his brothers-in-arms, he defended his native Kharkiv region and took part in the liberation of a number of settlements. In June, he was wounded. After treatment, he had ten days of leave, which he spent with his wife Olha and their son Zakhar. He then returned to the defense of Ukraine. On 28 June, by decree of the President of Ukraine, Senior Soldier Mykola Kravchenko was awarded the “Defender of the Motherland” medal. At the end of August, Mykola was able to spend a few more days with his family. On 6 September 2022, during the liberation of Kharkiv Oblast, he was killed near Volokhiv Yar. Mykola was buried on 13 September in the village of Pohonivka, Kharkiv Oblast. He was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class; the award was presented to his wife. Mykola was a sincere, kind, and fair person who loved life. Despite every difficulty he faced, he always said, “Everything will be all right.” Senior Soldier Mykola Kravchenko (“KRAVA”) was born in the village of Ukrainka, Kharkiv Oblast, and grew up and studied in Barvinkove. After compulsory military service, he signed a contract and joined the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Kish Otaman Ivan Sirko. During his years of service, he was a rifleman, machine gunner, and BTR-4E driver. He took part in the Joint Forces Operation and defended Ukraine during the full-scale invasion, fighting for his native Kharkiv region and helping liberate occupied settlements. Mykola was awarded the “Defender of the Motherland” medal and posthumously the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class. On 6 September 2022, during the liberation of Kharkiv Oblast, the Hero was killed at Volokhiv Yar. Mykola will forever remain in the memory of his family, friends, and brothers-in-arms as a sincere, kind, and fair man who loved life and always repeated: “Everything will be all right.” Eternal memory and glory to the Hero.