Andrii O. Kalchenko (Kipish)

Senior soldier Andrii Kalpchenko (call sign Kipish) was killed on May 20, 2023 near the village of Ivanivske in Donetsk region. During a combat mission, he received a fatal injury as a result of enemy mortar shelling. 4 days before this, the defender turned 56 years old. Andrii was born and lived in Kyiv. He obtained a secondary technical education at the Kyiv State Academy of Decorative Arts and Design named after Mykhailo Boichuk. He was a master of furniture making, collaborating with the company "VIIAR". He loved fishing, classical music and traveling. With the start of the full-scale war, Andrii joined the ranks of volunteers. He served in the 241st separate brigade of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the position of anti-aircraft gunner in the 243rd battalion. The call sign Kipish" was given to him by his comrades-in-arms because Andrii would not calm down himself and would also stir up others to carry out the necessary task. For his service, the defender was awarded the commemorative badge "Blood for Ukraine". "Andrii was an extraordinary personality, he was a daredevil, sometimes hot-tempered, he left no one indifferent, he gave confidence and courage. The pain of the loss will remain for life, but with memories... Andrii did not let us give up, he "kipished" and moved the world around," said his wife Svitlana. The warrior was buried at the Berkovets cemetery in Kyiv. A loving family was waiting for him at home: a wife, two daughters, and adored grandchildren.