Denys O. Bondar (Horobets)

23-year-old paratrooper Denys Bondar (call sign Sparrow) was killed on February 2, 2023 during the battle for the city of Soledar in the Donetsk region. He received fatal injuries during enemy mortar shelling. Denys was born in the city of Korosten, Zhytomyr region. He studied at the Kyiv National Transport University. He was fond of sports, practiced karate, and often won awards in competitions. When the full-scale war began, Denys decided that defending his country was his duty, as he had a heightened sense of justice since childhood. Later, he joined the airborne assault troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He became a gunner in the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade. He was proud of his service and bravely carried out combat missions. "Denys was very sociable, sensitive, always the first to help, and never abandoned his friends and loved ones in trouble. Denys was a fighter for justice, which is why he could not stay away from the war. At the age of 23, he gave his life for our freedom. He wanted his children to run the same paths that he did in childhood. But it was not to be..." said the sister of the fallen Olena Khrapiychuk. The mother of the fallen Oksana Bondar is deeply grieving the loss and often writes messages to her son on her Facebook page. "11 months since I couldn't call you. I so want to hear: 'Mom, I'm alive, I'm doing well.' For 11 months I've been waiting for this to happen. But... only in my thoughts do I hear your voice, I look out the window, it seems the door will open and you, my dear, will run in and ask for food. Tears are streaming down my face, the pain in my heart. My handsome, my hope, my dear. I miss you so much. The whole family, friends, mourn for you, our Angel. Eternal memory! May you rest in heaven!" "I remember when they reported that you were out of contact, how the parents were worried. I remember standing at the checkpoint and how the air defense was shooting down missiles right next to us, and we were collecting aid and talking about you, so that you would call your parents and say that everything is fine, that you would pick up the parcels we sent... But, unfortunately, the miracle did not happen... The news of your death was announced on February 5, we were on a business trip, traveling by bus to Riga... I remember how we cried... Rejection of information, how could this be?! Such a handsome, wise, brave warrior of ours, how did this happen, why didn't the Lord protect you... Many questions, despair, tears... Your comrades-in-arms picked up the parcels instead of you, it was a painful moment, because we so wanted you to be among them, alive and healthy..." wrote volunteer Tetyana Antonchuk. Denys was buried in the village of Domoloch, Zhytomyr region. At home, Denys was awaited by his parents, loving relatives and friends. The young defender was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree. In honor of the warrior, an alley in the city of Korosten, where he was born and raised, was renamed.