Andrii V. Zadorozhnyi (Batia)

Sergeant Andriy Zadorozhnyi (call sign Batya) was killed on July 29, 2023, in battle with the enemy near the village of Mala Tokmachka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. During a mortar attack, he sustained fatal injuries. The defender was 43 years old. Andriy was born in the village of Vorona, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. He obtained a secondary education. He served in the special forces during his military service. After the army, he worked as the head of security at the National Bank of Ukraine. Later, he became a police officer. After the start of the full-scale invasion on April 6, 2022, the man went to defend the Motherland from the occupiers. He joined the ranks of the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the positions of combat vehicle commander and squad commander. For his service, he was awarded the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's "Golden Cross" distinction. "I'm sorry that I can't tell him now how proud I am of him. He defended our country to the end, went into battle with his comrades-in-arms to the end. He was so happy about the award and wanted everyone to receive it. It's sad that this is the last award he was able to receive in his lifetime," said the deceased's daughter, Diana. Andriy was buried in his native village. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.