Andrii Ya. Koval (Kratos)

25-year-old defender Andrii Koval (call sign Kratos) was killed on March 12, 2024 near Mariinka in the Donetsk region. During the performance of a combat mission, he sustained fatal injuries as a result of a strike by the enemy UAV "Lancet". Andrii was born in the village of Hirske, Lviv region. Later, the family moved to Lviv. He studied at school No. 99 there. He received higher education at the Lviv State University of Life Safety, choosing the specialty of "Fire Safety". He was passionate about landscape design. He was engaged in entrepreneurial activity - he had a small landscape company, dreamed of its expansion. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the man stood up to defend the Motherland from the occupiers. He fought in the ranks of the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He carried out combat missions in the southern and eastern directions. "Andrii loved life. He was fair, responsible and kind, respected his relatives and friends. Hardworking, never afraid of work. His actions were an example for his younger brother to follow. He was a faithful and reliable friend. Despite the difficulties, he always smiled. He knew how to cheer up others, he was the soul of the company. His death is a great loss for the whole family. He still dreamed of doing so much in life..." - said his cousin Maria Dudych. The hero was buried in the Marsovoye Field of the Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv. Andrii is survived by his parents, brother, relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms.