"RAY"

He was born on January 18, 2004, in the village of Velyka Ternivka, Yakymivka District, Zaporizhzhia Region. A volunteer. From childhood he could never sit still—he practiced taekwondo, competed internationally, and received many awards, including a green belt. Later he became passionate about football and earned numerous awards: Champion of Zaporizhzhia Region (FST “Kolos”) in 2018; representative of Zaporizhzhia Region at the Ukrainian Junior Championship in Skadovsk (2018); and a multiple-time top scorer and best player in various tournaments across Ukraine. He dreamed of becoming a professional athlete and moved confidently toward his goal—after finishing 11th grade, he enrolled in the Physical Culture and Sports program at EPFK of ZNU. He also worked as a children’s football coach from 2022 to 2023 at Metallurh’s “Kids” youth school. In the middle of his third year of study, he decided to join the defense of Ukraine. In 2023, he successfully graduated from college and entered ZNTU in the same specialty (Physical Culture and Sports), already thinking about military service. On November 3, 2023, he joined the defense of the country—he signed a contract and joined the ranks of the 12th Special Purpose Brigade of the NGU “Azov.” Next came the five-week Basic Combat Training Course (BKBP). During the course, he conducted himself with dignity, helped others, completed tasks, and was the first to learn the Prayer of the Ukrainian Nationalist. After completing the course, he gained experience on a combat deployment to an infantry position on the Lyman front. At his own request, he was transferred to the brigade artillery group, where he continued his service—working hard, carrying out assignments thoroughly, and doing his best not to let his brothers-in-arms down. He was awarded the distinction of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, “To the Defender of Ukraine,” on December 4, 2024. He was killed on April 26, 2025, while carrying out a combat mission on the Toretsk front.