Andrii Yu. Diak (Salem)

Andriy Dyak (call sign Salem), a defender of Mariupol, was killed in battle on April 10, 2022. He was one of the 72 brave warriors who voluntarily agreed to fly helicopters into the fully encircled and blocked Mariupol. The fighter broke through to the city, but was killed in battle with the enemy. Andriy was born in the city of Stryi, Lviv region. He studied at Stryi Secondary School No. 4 and the Lviv Military and Sports Lyceum named after the Heroes of Kruty. He graduated from the Lviv branch of the Kyiv University of Culture and Arts. He worked in the tourism industry. From 2016 to 2019, he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation, defending the Motherland as part of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynsky. After demobilization, he worked for a foreign company in the ship escort security service. After the full-scale invasion of the occupiers, the man left his job abroad and returned home to defend the Motherland again. Together with his brother, they joined the ranks of the defenders. Andriy fought for his native country in the ranks of the Special Operations Unit "Azov" of the National Guard of Ukraine. He was described as the "brightest and most sincere person" by the wife of the deceased's cousin Olha. Eugen Puniv and Boromyr Mudryy, his comrades, expressed their grief and gratitude for his unwavering spirit and example of a true warrior. The hero was buried in the Alley of Glory of the Stryi cemetery. Andriy is survived by his parents, brother, loving family, many friends, and comrades-in-arms.