Andrii I. Kostyk (Atos)

31-year-old platoon commander Andriy Kostyk (call sign Athos) was killed on August 29, 2022, on the first day of the counteroffensive in the Kherson region. The unit he was part of carried out a combat mission in the area of the settlements of Novovoznesenske and Myrolyubivka and broke through the enemy's line of defense. Andriy provided assistance to a wounded commander. Then, together with a comrade, he was preparing another comrade for evacuation. However, an enemy tank shell cut their lives short. Andriy was born in the village of Yasinia in the Zakarpattia region. After school, he graduated from the Tyachiv Professional Lyceum. He received his higher education at the Chernivtsi National University named after Yu. Fedkovych. Throughout his life, he learned something new, but did not immediately find a job by calling and education. Whatever he did, he did diligently and flawlessly, did not stop on the way to the goal. Having found the best instructors-trainers, he became a professional masseur and worked at the "Girska Tysa" sanatorium in the village of Kvasy. He loved life very much. He was fond of nature, took photos and videos, highlighting its beauty. He rode a bicycle through the mountains and was engaged in sports all his life. When the full-scale war began, Andriy joined the army from the first days, although he had no experience before. He served in the 128th separate mountain assault Zakarpattia brigade. Together with his comrades, he went to the front line to defend Ukraine from Russian occupiers. "Our Andriy is a volunteer. He didn't serve in the army, but he was at war from the first days, because he couldn't otherwise. He said: 'Every man can become a soldier, but not every soldier can become a warrior'... You became a real Warrior, Andriy. You saved many people, but you couldn't save yourself. We are very proud of you, but the great pain of loss does not leave our hearts... We will love and remember you forever," his mother Zhanna said. The defender was buried in his native village in the Zakarpattia region. Andriy left behind his parents, sister, and beloved girlfriend.