Andrii V. Sydorenko (Drakon)

Senior Lieutenant Andriy Sydorenko (call sign Sidor) was killed on April 15, 2022, at the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol, Donetsk region. The defender was 41 years old. Andriy was born in the city of Tarko-Sale (Russia), where his parents were working. He spent almost his entire life in Fastiv, Kyiv region. After graduating from the lyceum, he stu as a welder and a pastor-preacher. He worked in a family construction company, had a clothing and footwear store. He participated in the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. In June 2014, he voluntarily joined the Azov Regiment. He held the position of head of the combat training group. He participated in the defense of Mariupol and in the Shyrokyne operation. During the ATO, he carried out combat orders for counter-intelligence and counter-sniper operations, including in Pavlopil, Vodyane, Marinka, and Granitne. He participated in battles on the Svitlodarsk arc. "There were six of us children. Four sons and two daughters. Andriy was the middle one among the brothers. In childhood and in adult life, we could argue, disagree in opinions. But in a difficult situation, we stood up for each other. Our family was always united by a civic position. That's why we all signed up for Azov. The first was Andriy, the second was the oldest brother Yaroslav, I was the third. We knew there would be a full-scale invasion. And that for those who remained to defend Mariupol, it would be a one-way road. But none of us changed our minds. Andriy always conscientiously performed tasks. He believed that brothers could not be in the same brigade and in the same place, risking their lives at the same time. He told me, 'You have to survive because you have children.' During the execution of one of the combat orders, he received numerous injuries and a concussion. He was taken to the medical center at Azovstal. I was in another part of the city. We communicated only through a messenger. Andriy always tried to support me morally," says the youngest brother Vitaliy Sydorenko, who survived almost a year in captivity. "The last message I sent to my brother was shortly before his death. He never replied. Because on the night of April 15, 2022, a hostile rocket hit the shelter where he was. Andriy was buried. His commander tried to save him. Unfortunately, it was impossible. Then something mystical happened to me. That same night, we received an order to break through to the factory. On the way, our column fell into an ambush, and a rocket from an ATGM hit my pickup truck. I lost consciousness for a moment. Coming to my senses, I moved away from the car, and it exploded and burned. Making my way to the factory, I was repeatedly under enemy artillery fire, received many shrapnel wounds and a penetrating wound, had to apply a tourniquet. There was a feeling that someone was leading and giving me strength, encouragement to move on. Learning of Andriy's death, I associated those feelings with him, that it was he who gave me that strength to move on. I felt his support every time during combat difficulties and while in captivity," adds Vitaliy. "I met Andriy in 2020, and we got married the same year. Andriy was the embodiment of confidence, courage, recklessness, devotion. He loved to travel very much. He was the soul of the company, ready for anything for his loved ones. My decision to follow him to the war was unquestionable. I saw fear in Andriy's eyes for the first and last time on Azovstal, when, wounded, he said that he was very afraid for me and his brothers. I don't know anyone with a greater thirst for life than Andriy had. It seemed to me that he was in a hurry to live. This is an incredibly great loss for everyone," said his wife Tetyana, also a military serviceman. During his lifetime, the officer was awarded departmental awards, weapons, and the Order of Courage of the 3rd degree. Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of Courage of the 2nd degree. The warrior was also posthumously awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Fastiv. Andriy was survived by his wife, two brothers, and two sisters. His brother Yaroslav was killed in Mariupol on Azovstal on May 20, 2022. In honor of the Sydorenko brothers, Gagarin Street in Fastiv was renamed.