Dmytro H. Volontyrets (Dimon)

The 28-year-old senior soldier Dmytro Volontirets (call sign Dymon) was killed in action on March 14, 2022, as a result of an enemy air strike in the city of Snigurivka, Mykolaiv region. He saved the lives of 11 of his comrades at the cost of his own. Dmytro was from the village of Sofiivka in Mykolaiv region. He stu at Mykolaiv National University named after V. O. Sukhomlynsky, but did not graduate as he joined the contract military service. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, crafting, repairing electrical equipment and telephones, and watching science programs. He served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine under contract from 2013-2018. He was a machine gunner in the 79th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade. He participated in the ATO/JFO from 2014. After demobilization, he settled with his family in the village of Pavlivka, Mykolaiv region. He worked as an electrician at the Snihurivka branch of the Mykolaivoblenergo enterprise. On February 25, 2022, Dmytro returned to the army to defend his country from the enemy once again. He fought as part of the 123rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. He held the position of driver of the rifle platoon. From the first days of the great war, together with his comrades, he held back the enemy on the approach to the city of Snigurivka. Armed only with automatic rifles, the Ukrainian soldiers captured Russian military personnel and seized their weapons and equipment. "He was the best father, son, brother, and loyal friend. He loved his family very much, he was kind, caring, and fair! He loved this life! He spent a lot of time with his son and was very proud of his first successes and dreamed of their future life. He loved fishing and passed on his skills to his son," said the sister of the deceased, Tetiana. "We met more than 12 years ago. He was already a brave fighter for justice, with a clear position, not afraid of difficulties, but I felt his incredible warmth and sincerity, and I realized then that I would be happy with such a man. And almost every time he said that I would become his wife. I did. Our family was the greatest happiness for us, and later our son Vladyslav was born. With the appearance of a son, Dymon, as we called him in our family, became the most caring father who was always there. I was even sometimes surprised that he, even tired after a hard day, would play all the games that his son suggested... Almost seven years of married life, five of which he gave to the army, Dima already understood that the defense of his state was his destiny... On February 25, 2022, under the pretext of going to work, he went to the military commissariat as a volunteer. He then told me that he was going to defend us and our son, that he would not allow the occupiers to come here. It was thanks to his confidence, faith in our victory, and courage that we were not afraid and felt like we were behind a stone wall, and indeed, he was always like that for us and our son. He was not afraid of the enemy, but was very worried about us and his comrades. He had a desire to help and save everyone. That fateful morning, on March 14, 2022, in Snigurivka, he saved his comrades by warning everyone about the approaching enemy aircraft, but he did not have time to hide himself... This damned war divided our life... My husband Dima wanted to live, we dreamed of a happy life, dreamed of raising our son, planned our future, even planned old age... He was the best of people, and he will remain so in my memory and in my heart," wrote the wife of the deceased, Anna. The hero was buried in the village of Pavlivka, Mykolaiv region. At home, he was awaited by his mother, wife, son, and sister. Posthumously, senior soldier Dmytro Volontirets was awarded the Order "For Courage" III degree.