Dmytro I. Soloviov (Solovei)

Junior Sergeant Dmytro Soloviov (call sign Solovei) was killed on November 1, 2022, during a battle for his native Luhansk region. He was part of a reconnaissance group that went out to reconnoiter the enemy's positions. The occupiers detected the Ukrainian defenders and shelled them with artillery. Shrapnel hit Solovei in the temple and ended the life of the 26-year-old warrior. Dmytro was born in Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk region. He graduated from the Luhansk Regional Lyceum with enhanced military and physical training. He then obtained the profession of a bodyguard at Sievierodonetsk Vocational School No. 24. He worked as a sales representative in a food company. He was passionate about cars, sports, military affairs, and loved animals. After the war, he dreamed of getting a raccoon and starting his own business. He was a good friend and loyal comrade, a beloved husband and the best son. Since 2016, he had served under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) / Joint Forces Operation (JFO). On February 24, 2022, Dmytro evacuated his family from Sievierodonetsk and returned to his unit. During the full-scale war, he defended Ukraine in the ranks of the 90th separate airmobile battalion named after Hero of Ukraine Senior Lieutenant Ivan Zubkov. He was a squad commander in the reconnaissance platoon. He participated in battles for Izium, Kamyanka, Bohorodychne, Oleksandrivka, Lyman, and Bilohorivka. "Dmytro was a professional in his field. Brave, decisive, and risk-taking. On May 21 at 5:45 a.m. in the Sosna forest area near Bohorodychne, together with his platoon, he came under intense tank and artillery fire. I suffered a fracture of the lower third of the limb. Being wounded and with a concussion, Dmytro, under enemy fire, provided first aid to severely wounded comrades. Despite the intense fire of the enemy's artillery, he evacuated me to a safe zone for transfer to the battalion's medics. Thanks to his tactical medicine skills and his brave and decisive actions, I remained alive. After treatment, Dmytro returned to the unit, where he continued to carry out combat missions, destroy enemy equipment, and adjust the fire of our artillery. Dmytro has three lives saved to his credit," said the commander of the deceased, Roman. "Eternal memory and eternal glory to the fallen hero Dmytro Soloviov! Let us not forget the price of our victory. Sincere condolences to Dmytro's family and loved ones," said Cherkasy Mayor Anatoliy Bondarenko. The serviceman was buried in the Alley of Glory in Cherkasy. Dmytro is survived by his parents, sister, and wife. The hero was posthumously awarded the honorary distinction "Defender of Ukraine - Hero of Cherkasy."