Andrii O. Dotsenko (Dots)

Sergeant Andriy Dotsenko (call sign Dots) died on June 13, 2023, on the battlefield in the village of Staromaiorske, Donetsk region, defending his comrades-in-arms. He would have turned 48 in three days. Andriy was from the city of Sumy. He grew up and studied there. He obtained a secondary education at a mechanical engineering college, and then entered the Ukrainian Academy of Banking, but did not graduate. In civilian life, he worked as a sales manager for agricultural machinery and spare parts at the Lybid enterprise in Sumy. In 2014, he participated in the war in eastern Ukraine. Then he returned home. Until 2022, he worked at the Minetech company. He spent his free time with his family and friends. He loved football. When the full-scale invasion began, the man was with his family in Poland. He immediately set out for home. At first, he managed to join the local sabotage and reconnaissance group - he guarded checkpoints in the region. Then he was mobilized. He held the position of commander of a unit, commander of a military vehicle of the 35th separate marine brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradskyy. He underwent training abroad. In early summer 2023, his brigade was transferred to the Donetsk region. As part of the 88th battalion, the fighter liberated the village of Storozhove, and then, together with his comrades-in-arms, defended the village of Staromaiorske, where he fought his last battle. "For me, he was the best father and an example of a real man. A patriot who, despite everything, returned to Ukraine. No matter how much my mom and I tried to persuade him, he still went. He said, 'What will my guys think of me?' Sometimes dad was as stubborn as I am. I loved to argue with him, and then get offended... He did everything possible for me, his daughter whom he so longed for and loved, he gave his last, fulfilled all my whims. Dad was the soul of the company, a true friend. Now everyone remembers only the pleasant moments associated with him, sometimes even shed a tear, because a truly bright and kind person has left this life," said Maria Dotsenko. The defender was buried in the Alley of Glory of the Baranivskyi cemetery in Sumy. At home, Andriy was awaited by his wife Aliona and daughter Maria.