Andrii H. Bakhtov (Tykhyi)

Andriy Hryhorovych Bakhtov was born on May 9, 1975, in the village of Tymyriazivka, Urytskyi District, Kustanai Region (Kazakhstan). He studied at Novosil Secondary School in Yarmolynets District. In 1996, he graduated with honors from Kamianets-Podilskyi State Pedagogical Institute, and in 2000, he graduated from Khmelnytsky National University with a degree in "Psychology." In 1996, he worked as a physical education teacher in the village of Pasichna, Yarmolynets District, in Khmelnytskyi region. In June 1996, he was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, serving in the Airborne Troops. In 2000, 2003, and 2005, he took advanced training courses at the National Academy of Internal Affairs on psychological support for special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, graduating with honors. From 2006 to 2007, he served as a staff officer and psychologist at the special peacekeeping center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Kosovo (Yugoslavia). From 1999 to 2010, he held the position of deputy company commander, combat special training inspector, and senior psychologist in the special police unit "Berkut" of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Khmelnytskyi region. He participated in combat operations in the East of the country and in numerous peacekeeping operations. He gained practical service and combat experience in the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the special peacekeeping unit of the UN. After the Russian annexation of Crimea, Andriy Bakhtov, along with his comrades from peacekeeping missions, joined the creation of the volunteer battalion "Peacekeeper," became the deputy commander, and later effectively led the Ministry of Internal Affairs battalion "Peacekeeper." He liberated the settlements of Sloviansk, Popasna, Toretsk, Maiorske, and New York (formerly Novhorodske). In August 2014, he found himself in Ilovaisk with the battalion and spent several days on foot trying to reach his own after the Russian forces shot at their column in the "green corridor." For his high performance in service and participation in joint operations, he was awarded 24 state awards and medals from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the National Guard, the UN, and NATO member countries, among others. Andriy Bakhtov had 12 years of service in the internal affairs bodies and held the special rank of "Police Lieutenant Colonel." From May 2016, he served as a leading specialist in the Military Training Department of the National Academy of Internal Affairs, from September 2018 as a senior lecturer, and from November 2021 he was appointed head of the Military Training Department of the National Academy of Internal Affairs. He successfully combined his academic and teaching work with research activities. He worked on a candidate dissertation on the topic "Psychological Readiness of a Police Officer to Perform Official Duties." He constantly improved his theoretical knowledge and practical experience, which he effectively implemented in the educational process during classes in the subjects of "Military Psychology," "Social Psychology," "Fundamentals of Moral and Psychological Support," "Fire Training," "Tactical Medicine," and "Organization of Educational Work in Combat Conditions." He paid great attention to military-patriotic education of youth and made significant contributions to the development of the material and technical base and visual propaganda of the Military Training Department. During his time at the academy, he was characterized positively, had an analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, was stress-resistant, honest, decent, responsible, and purposeful. He approached his functional duties diligently. On February 4, 2022, together with several of his students, he enlisted in the Territorial Defense in Kyiv. In May, as part of the "Svoboda" battalion of the 4th Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, he went to the East. He defended the cities of Rubizhne, Sievierodonetsk, and Lysychansk. Later, the unit was redeployed to the town of Zaytseve in Donetsk region. Despite having reached the rank of lieutenant colonel at one time, Andriy fought at the front with the rank of junior sergeant. Shortly before his death, at the request of the soldiers, he became the commander of the 6th company. On August 10, 2022, he fought his last battle when the enemy attempted to capture Ukrainian positions. For his outstanding services to the Ukrainian people and the Khmelnytskyi city territorial community, Andriy Bakhtov was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Khmelnytskyi." For his personal contribution to strengthening the defense capability of the Ukrainian state, courage, selflessness, and high professionalism demonstrated during combat operations and the performance of official duties, Andriy Bakhtov was awarded the medal "For Military Service to Ukraine."