Bohdan S. Ivanov (Bodia)

Fighter of the special forces unit "Kraken" Bohdan Ivanov (call sign Bodia) was killed in action on March 25, 2022, during an offensive in the area of the village of Vylkhivka in the Kharkiv region. A month before his death, the defender turned 25 years old. Bohdan was born in the village of Taranivka, Kharkiv region. He worked mainly on his own. In his free time, he was engaged in sports and active recreation, was fond of cars. Later, he graduated from Mariupol State University. In 2017, Bohdan joined the ranks of the separate special purpose detachment of the NGU "Azov". He carried out combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation. In 2020, Bohdan returned from combat missions to Kharkiv. There, he met a girl named Regina. The couple had strong relationships. However, on February 24, 2022, their happy life was interrupted by a full-scale war. From the first days, Bohdan joined the newly created special forces unit "Kraken". And already after a month, Bodia was no more. "Despite successfully carrying out the offensive operation, our unit did not go without losses. We lost six warriors. Although the enemy also suffered losses in a ratio of 10 Russians to 1 of ours, even a thousand lives of the occupiers are not worth the life of our fallen fighter," wrote battalion commander Serhiy Velichko with the call sign Chili. "Bohdan is a patriot of his country, whom I have not seen yet. Sensitive, kind, always comes to help. He was in the most fierce battles in Donbas, supported Ukraine not only in word but also in deed! He considered me his wife almost from the first months and said that he had never loved anyone so much... We didn't even think about getting married for real, somehow we considered each other husband and wife," said Regina Sviridenko. "He was a very brave man. His comrades told how he opened fire on an enemy MTLB in Vylkhivka and saved their lives. He always fought for justice. When he came to visit, he always told stories from the war, showed videos. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have any motivation to go and fight now. Thanks to him, who raised me from the age of 14, I only have thoughts about the regiment," shared his brother Yevhen. The defender was buried in his native village in the Kharkiv region. Bohdan left behind his parents, brother, beloved, and her son from her first marriage. Posthumously, Bohdan was awarded the incentive award of the GUR MOU "For combat merit".