Dmytro S. Koliada (Demon)

Senior Lieutenant Dmytro Koliada (call sign Demon) was killed on November 21, 2022, while performing a combat mission near the village of Yakovlivka in the Donetsk region. On November 7, the warrior would have turned 25 years old. Dmytro was born in the village of Borysiv, Khmilnytskyi region, where he spent his youth. He had always dreamed of becoming a military man, like his godfather. However, he did not manage to enter a military university. To not waste time, the young man obtained the profession of an electric welder at the Netishyn Vocational Lyceum. In 2020, he graduated from the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny, where he obtained the qualification of a tactical-level officer. After graduation, the young officer was sent to serve in the 109th Battalion of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He carried out combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas. In 2021, he was awarded the "Cossack Cross" badge of the III degree. During the full-scale war, Dmytro, together with his unit, continued to defend Ukraine from the occupiers. He commanded a company and was always at the forefront with his comrades-in-arms. In April 2022, he was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree. "Our Dimchyk has been a sincere and hardworking child since childhood, his energy was enough to help around the household and play football. He could easily prepare a festive table and treat his relatives. His determination was enviable, he is one of those people who set a goal and go for it, despite all the difficulties. Everyone remembers our Dmytryk as a smiling, cheerful guy who could always come to the rescue. In the letter to the future, which the graduates of our village school write, he was the one who wrote: 'Glory to Ukraine!'. The dream of his life was to become a real officer. When he became a cadet at the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny, his joy knew no bounds. He was so proud to bear the honorable title of a future military man. Throughout his life, Dimchyk was a one-woman man, he fell in love with a neighbor girl in childhood. The young love became the love of his whole life. On the day of our hero's death, his grandmother was waiting for his congratulations, she turned 80 years old, she prayed and asked God for her grandson. But, unfortunately, the telephone connection divided our whole life into 'before' and 'after'," said the officer's elder sister Aliona. The hero was buried in his native village. Dmytro left behind his parents, young wife, sister, niece, elderly grandmother, godmother, and cousin brother and sister. The officer was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the III degree.