Dmytro M. Ovcharenko (Dreyk)

Paratrooper Dmytro Ovcharenko (call sign Dreyk) was killed on May 6, 2023, in a battle with the occupiers in the area of the village of Ivanivske in the Donetsk region. The defender was 20 years old. Dmytro was from the village of Rykhtytsi in the Lviv region. From childhood, he was engaged in wushu and boxing. He studied at the Lesia Ukrainka Lyceum and the B. Lepky Gymnasium. In 2018-2021, he studied at the boxing studio at the International School of Sports Mastery in the Polish city of Lodz. He actively participated in competitions, winning silver at the Polish Championships and other awards. After finishing the boxing studio, he successfully passed the Matura exam and applied to School No. 3 in Drohobych, where he completed grades 10 and 11 externally and passed the ZNO (External Independent Testing). In 2022, he enrolled at the University of Wroclaw, took first place in the ranking, and was recognized as the best entrant of the year. Unable to go abroad for studies due to the full-scale invasion, he enrolled at Drohobych Vocational School No. 19. But, without completing his studies, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and went to the front. Dmytro held the position of grenadier's assistant in the 80th separate airborne assault brigade. "He dreamed of a military career since childhood. He was interested in history and military affairs. He independently studied tactics and strategy, human psychology, and oratory," said his mother, Lilia Volodymyrivna. Together with his comrades-in-arms, Dmytro fought in the Bakhmut direction of the Donetsk region. He was recognized by the command as a brave and courageous warrior. Noticing Dmytro's potential, the command sent him to the sergeant's school, but the fighter did not return from the last combat mission. "Forever 20! Without finishing your studies, you sign a contract and go to defend Ukraine. Bright, sociable, a sportsman since childhood, intelligent and well-read, with perfect English, a good son and grandson, a responsible older brother, a sincere nephew," wrote the teacher of the fallen, Olha Mytsak. Dmytro was buried in the Alley of Glory of the Drohobych cemetery. The hero left behind his parents Lilia and Mykola, sister Solomiia, and brothers Nestor and Oleksandr. Posthumously, soldier Dmytro Ovcharenko was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.