"YNWA"

He was born in Ivano-Frankivsk. After completing the 9th grade at the Starolysets School, he studied at the Ivano-Frankivsk State College of Technology and Business. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the Stepan Gzhytskyi Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies, and a master’s degree at the West Ukrainian National University. He grew up a sincere, intelligent, and conscious young man. He was active, loved dogs and hiking in the mountains, and was passionate about sports. Many times, he defended the honor of the “Bystrytsia” team from Staryi Lysets and FC “Prykarpattia.” At the age of 18–19, he traveled with Shakhtar ultras to matches across Ukraine. He read and drew inspiration from books about Ukrainian nationalism. He felt responsible for the fate of the country—so after the full-scale invasion, he refused to leave abroad. Thanks to persistent training, on April 12, 2024, as he said, he “made an 18-year-old boy’s dream come true—became a fighter of the AZOV Brigade,” serving in the 6th Battalion. During basic combat training (BkBP) and his service in the brigade, he earned deep respect from his brothers-in-arms for his courage, keeping his word, responsibility, and bravery, becoming a true friend to many. A Liverpool FC fan, Orest chose the call sign Y.N.W.A—an abbreviation of the club’s anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” This motto was his life credo: unity, support, and loyalty under any circumstances. True to his credo, he declined an offer to transfer to a staff position, saying: “I feel that I have to be here with the guys, and I truly don’t want to leave them. YNWA wouldn’t do that—that’s not who I am.” Until early September, he carried out combat missions in the Serebrianske Forest. Later, the brigade was redeployed to stabilize the situation in the city of New York. On September 20, he set out with his brothers-in-arms on a difficult mission. The next day, on September 21, 2024, as a result of mortar fire, Orest sustained fatal wounds. You will never walk alone, our best husband, son, brother, and friend.