Andrii V. Rakul (Yantar)

Main Sergeant Andriy Rakul (call sign Amber) was killed on November 17, 2023, while performing a combat mission on the left bank of the Dnipro River near the village of Krynky in the Kherson region. The warrior was 27 years old. Andriy was born in the village of Shershentsi, Odesa region. He studied at the Orshanets Training Center for Junior Specialists of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. From 2015 to 2019, he served in his specialty. After the end of the contract, he held civilian positions abroad. During the full-scale war, Andriy joined the ranks of the defenders and went to the front line. He fought as part of the 126th separate brigade of the territorial defense. "He was not born for war. But when the Motherland groaned from betrayal and pain, he could not stand aside. He went to fight for Ukraine - without the 'hammer and sickle', for the trident - the ancient symbol of statehood. Andriy and his valor became a fragment of the bloody history of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Andriy became an example of true love for Ukraine and its people! Eternal memory, eternal rest to the young knight!" - wrote in the Kodym community. The defender was buried in his native village. Andriy is survived by his parents Svitlana and Vasyl, his wife Olena, son Matviy, sister Varvara, other relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms. On May 17, 2024, a memorial plaque was unveiled in the village of Shershentsi for the fallen.