Andrii L. Kipen (Kipish)

Lieutenant Andrii Kipen (call sign Kipish) was killed on October 28, 2022, while repelling an assault by the occupiers in the Mayorsk area of Donetsk region. The officer was 31 years old. Andrii was from the village of Podillia in Mykolaiv region. He studied at a rural secondary school. He then graduated from the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding in Mykolaiv. He worked at the Berezanske oil extraction plant. He loved to spend his free time relaxing with his family and friends. During the full-scale invasion, the man joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to protect his native country and family from the occupiers. He served in the 5th Separate Assault Brigade. He was the commander of an assault platoon. "Andrii was brave, courageous, cheerful, and full of life. His comrades-in-arms said he was a true warrior and fighter for the independence of his people. For them, he became not only a friend, but a brother. He had many plans that he unfortunately did not have time to implement. His signature phrase was: 'Everything will be fine!' He gave his life so that we could live in a free and independent Ukraine," wrote the deceased's wife Natalia. The hero was buried in his native village. At home, Andrii was awaited by his parents, wife, and daughter. The officer was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III degree.