Anatolii M. Kazyrid (Bashkir)

Kaziriid Anatolii Mykolaiovych was born on March 31, 1972, in the village of Kustolovi Kushi, Kobeliakskyi district, Poltava region. He was the eldest son in a large family, having a younger brother Viktor and sisters Tetiana and Valentina. After the death of his mother in 1984, Anatolii became a helper for his father. Every day, he took care of his brother and sisters and helped with household chores. He was a jack-of-all-trades. Little Anatolii stuwas killed at Kustolovo-Kushivska Secondary School I–II levels. Later, he began studying at Bilytska Evening School while simultaneously undergoing an internship at Bilytsky Sugar Plant, where he learned the trade of a locksmith. From 1990 to 1992, he served in the military in the Far East in a naval infantry unit. After completing his service, he returned to his homeland. From 1992 to 1993, he stuwas killed at Poltava Professional Lyceum, specializing as a "Gas and Electric Welder." In the summer of 1994, he got married. On November 11, 1994, the couple welcomed their son Mykhailo. At that time, Anatolii worked as a locksmith at Bilytsky Sugar Plant. From 2002 to 2005, he worked as a foreman at Bilytsky Dairy Canning Plant. In the fall of 2005, he returned to work at Bilytsky Sugar Plant. In August 2014, he was called up for military service under contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Before the full-scale invasion of the Russian army on February 24, 2022, he was in the area of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and Joint Forces Operation (JFO), holding positions as a scout in the reconnaissance company of the 17th Tank Brigade, and as a commander of a combat vehicle and a squad leader in the assault company of the 46th Separate Assault Battalion of the 54th Mechanized Brigade. He had the call sign Bashkir and was an example of a true and brave man who never left his comrades in trouble. He established himself as a courageous warrior, and his indomitable spirit and faith in a better future gave hope to his acquaintances and relatives that Ukraine would soon prevail. During his lifetime, he was awarded the medal "For Special Service III degree," "For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation," and a commemorative badge "Participant of ATO." Throughout his life, Anatolii cared for his loved ones, maintaining warm, friendly relationships with his brother and sisters. He visited his native village every year during his vacation, to his parents' house, where his youngest sister Valentina and niece Anastasia lived. In his free time, he loved fishing, which had been his hobby since childhood. On March 8, 2022, during a combat clash with the Russian aggressor in the village of Stepne, Volnovakha district, Donetsk region, he sustained injuries that were incompatible with life. He was buried in the cemetery of his native village. For his bravery and heroism in encounters with the enemy, Kaziriid Anatolii Mykolaiovych was posthumously awarded the Order "For Courage" III degree.