Andrii Yu. Mishchenko (Halas)

Junior Sergeant Andriy Mishchenko (call sign Galas) was killed in action on April 17, 2022, during the battle for Mariupol in Donetsk region. In March, he flew with his comrades to the city, surrounded by Russian troops. He was one of the participants in a secret special operation. In May, the warrior would have turned 23 years old. Andriy was born in Belarus. From childhood, he lived with his family in the Kyiv region. He stuwas killed in action at a school in the capital, No. 240, and then graduated from the Berezan Lyceum. From childhood, he was fond of drawing, and later it grew into a profession - he became a tattoo master and opened his own studio. He adored hard rock. He valued a sense of humor in people the most. He cooked very well. He dreamed of creating a family and having his own tattoo salon. For some time, he served in the army under contract and then returned to his favorite occupation. With the start of the full-scale war, Andriy, along with his younger brother, joined the ranks of the defenders. Galas held the position of platoon commander. His mother, Yulia, well remembers the last meeting with Andriy. It was at the end of March, after the liberation of Bucha. Andriy had already decided to go to Mariupol, and he managed to break away to see his mother for a short time. "We hugged each other so tightly then... If only I knew it was the last time," Yulia said. On April 12, 2022, Andriy was still able to get in touch. The woman noted that her son's voice was very sad. "Andriy said: 'I love you. If something happens to me, I ask you, just don't cry,'" she recalled. On April 17, the older son sent Yulia a message: "Mom, Andriy was killed in action." The hero was buried in the village of Baryshivka in the Kyiv region. Andriy left behind a loving family, friends, and comrades. Posthumously, the defender was awarded the Order "For Courage" of the III degree.