Denys K. Bezrukavyi

Denis Kostyantynovych Bezrukaviy was born on February 5, 1985, in Mariupol, Donetsk region. In 2004, he graduated from Mariupol State Music College, and in 2011, from Berdyansk University of Management and Business. In November 2017, he joined the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and became a driver of the specialized vehicles department of the special-purpose emergency rescue squad of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Donetsk region. Due to the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, starting from March 2, 2022, Mariupol was surrounded and subjected to constant artillery shelling and airstrikes. Critical infrastructure facilities were destroyed in the city, and there was no communication, water, heating, gas, or electricity supply. Rescuers provided assistance to the townspeople and evacuees from nearby settlements. Denis worked tirelessly to help civilians, actively participating in transporting water from natural sources and evacuating people to shelters in safer areas of the city. These efforts saved numerous lives. On March 15, 2022, during another mission to assist the civilian population, the armored vehicle driven by Denis was deliberately fired upon by Russian military forces. The emergency worker sustained injuries incompatible with life and died on the spot. Until his last breath, he was saving people. Many kind and positive memories of Denis remain among his colleagues, who remember him as a responsible, resourceful, and friendly man who always smiled. His responsibility and boundless love for his young son defined Denis as an exemplary father and husband. "I have known Denis since 2017; he worked as a senior driver in the transport support unit. He was honest and a good guy, polite and respectful, someone you could always rely on. He performed tasks of any complexity to the maximum. Unfortunately, it happened that Denis died in Mariupol while saving people. It is very sad that the SES family lost such an employee," recalls friend and colleague Vitaliy Tsybulin. "A brave, decent, and reliable guy. When we went out to eliminate the consequences of enemy shelling in Mariupol, I was confident that we would do everything in our power and accomplish all assigned tasks. Denis was calm and composed, regardless of the work he was performing: whether providing first aid, transporting the wounded, or evacuating civilians to shelters. Despite the dire situation faced by all Mariupol residents due to constant shelling and the blockade of the city, Denis remained a human being and always tried to help everyone we encountered," shares his colleague Yaroslav Humenyuk. Denis's dedication to his work, courage, and bravery serve as an example for all rescuers. The bright memory of him will forever remain in the hearts of his loved ones, friends, and colleagues.