Andrii V. Bazhanov (Blits)

Soldier Andriy Bazhanov (call sign Blitz) was killed on October 7, 2023 in the village of Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region. The defender sustained a fatal gunshot wound during an enemy mortar attack. Andriy was 31 years old. He was from Kyiv. He graduated from secondary school No. 288 and then enrolled in a college to study to be an electrician. At the age of 18, he realized that his calling was in culinary arts. Since then, he worked in this field, including as a sous chef, head chef, and senior kitchen staff. He initially found employment at the "Druzi Cafe" establishment, then worked at "Urban Space 500" and "Thai Greeting". Eventually, he returned to "Urban Space 500". Andriy's hobbies included knife throwing, music, and graffiti. He also greatly loved dogs, especially Dobermans. After the missile strike on the high-rise building in Dnipro on January 14, 2023, the man firmly decided to defend Ukraine. He trained at the sergeant's school in the Chernihiv region. Later, he underwent training as a sniper and marksman. He held the position of sniper-shooter in the 32nd separate mechanized brigade. "Andriy is my kindred soul, my friend, my pride and my angel. We were even born on the same day. The best man I knew. He is forever in my heart, forever with me..." wrote the warrior's beloved Anna. Andriy Bazhanov was buried at the Berkovetsky Cemetery in Kyiv. The defender is survived by his mother, beloved, and son.