Dmytro S. Koval

Senior Soldier Dmytro Koval killed in action on February 25, 2022, in the area of Antonivskyi Bridge in Kherson region. The fighter sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the neck. He was only 22 years old. Dmytro was born in the village of Hlukhivtsi in Vinnytsia region. He graduated as a carpenter from Kyiv Higher Professional School of Woodworking, where he received certificates and was the winner of a professional skills competition. He was interested in cars and machinery. He loved to read and play with his nephews. Later, the young man decided to link his life with the army and joined the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakov Handziuk. He was very proud to serve in the tank battalion. Dmytro held the position of tank mechanic, constantly working with technology and enjoying it. When he received the rank of senior soldier, he was very pleased, as he realized that he had found his calling. In autumn 2021, Dmytro got married. He bought an apartment and a car for his future life. He was planning, dreaming, and loving. However, on the second day of the full-scale war, Russian occupiers cut short the life and dreams of the young soldier. "I love my brother very much. I still can't believe it. When I was told about his death, I lost the meaning of life. We are only two years apart, but we are like twins, inseparable. I don't know how I would have survived his loss if it weren't for my husband and our two children, whom Dmytro loved so much. He always said, 'Sis, you are strong, you can handle anything'... I love him very much, and it's very hard without him," says his sister, Olha Kondratiuk. Senior Soldier Dmytro Koval was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the 3rd degree. Dmytro was buried at the Geologists Cemetery in Kherson. His mother, two sisters, and wife were waiting for the hero at home.