Andrii P. Kuznetsov (Kuzia)

Sergeant Andriy Kuznetsov (call sign Kuzya) was killed on August 25, 2023, in the territory of the Serebryansk forestry, near the city of Kreminna in the Luhansk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he sustained a fatal explosive injury. Andriy would have turned 31 years old on October 15. He was born in the city of Krasnyi Luch, Luhansk region. He studied at the Luhansk Higher Vocational School of Automotive Service, where he obtained the qualifications of a car mechanic and a driver of vehicles of categories "B" and "C". However, he did not work in his profession. After completing his military service, he served for some time in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. In 2016, he joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend his home. He was a participant in the Anti-Terrorist Operation. Two years later, he returned to civilian life. When the full-scale invasion of Russian occupiers began, the man again returned to the army, as he wanted to protect his loved ones from the war. Initially, he fought as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In May 2023, he was transferred to the National Guard of Ukraine. Subsequently, he served in the 12th Special Purpose Brigade "Azov". He held the position of mortar commander. "He gave his life for the freedom of Ukraine. His war began in 2014 in the Luhansk region when they came to destroy his home, but he knew he had to defend his homeland, and over time he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He defended Avdiivka, went through such hell... and then he met me. We had a long-awaited daughter, and the war reached our home... He went again, but now not only to defend his land, but also us - the most precious thing in his life. At his own request, he was transferred to Azov. He went through such a difficult training path to get there, and finally received this well-deserved Azov sleeve patch. Then Kreminna, Luhansk region - just a little more, and he would have been on his native childhood land. These 1.5 years were very difficult for all of us and, unfortunately, his war ended. We with our daughter miss him very much. This pain is simply impossible to describe in words. I know that Ukraine will win! He did everything he could for this! We are proud of him! Glory to the Hero!" - shared the wife of the fallen soldier, Anna. The hero was buried at the Smolyansky Military Cemetery in Zhytomyr, where he lived with his family. At home, Andriy was awaited by his wife and daughter, who was only 2 years old at the time of his death.