Dmytro Yu. Porozhnii (Fikus)

26-year-old Junior Sergeant Dmytro Porozhniy (call sign Ficus) died on August 8, 2023 near the village of Kozachi Laheri in the Kherson region. During the execution of a combat mission to cross the Dnipro River, an enemy shell hit the boat. The soldier suffered a fatal shrapnel wound. Dmytro was born in the village of Lysyanka, Cherkasy region. In 2015, he graduated from the Lysyanka Vocational Agricultural Lyceum, obtaining the qualification of a computer typist. At the age of 19, he went on a contract service. He served in the 35th separate brigade of the Naval Infantry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He protected the navy blue beret. In 2019, he carried out combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation in the Donetsk region. After being discharged from the army, he lived in Odesa, working in the marketing department of the "Agromarket" company. He was passionate about the IT field, dreaming of working with websites and online sales. With the start of the full-scale invasion, Dmytro immediately went to the Territorial Defense Forces of Odesa. He served in the 126th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a squad commander in the 224th battalion. From December, together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. "Dima was a good person with a big heart. Cheerful, responsible, always knew what he wanted and achieved his goal. He used to say: 'Let's prepare for the worst, and the best will come.' He was a true patriot of Ukraine, devoted to his cause. From the first days, he went to defend his native land. He couldn't sit at home, he said: 'I'm needed there, I know what to do.' He was an excellent commander, always more concerned about his guys than himself, protected everyone, taught everything he knew, and supported. He bravely fulfilled his duty and work. Despite everything, he always had everything good. He knew how much we loved and supported him. We are proud of him! Dima - a loving and the best son, the most precious brother, a faithful and beloved husband, a good nephew. A true friend and support for his father. A loving brother who protected his sister and helped her. A beloved husband, an incredible pillar and support. We didn't have time to get married, achieve everything we planned, create the family of our dreams. Dima gave the most precious thing he loved - his life. Faithful always - as he had sworn! An irreparable loss for us..." - said the deceased's beloved Valeria Zaitseva. The warrior was buried in his native village. Dmytro is survived by his father Yuriy, mother Halyna, younger sister Dariya, civil wife Valeria, and other relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms.