Fedir H. Puhach (Fedich)

Master Sergeant Fedir Pugach (call sign Fedich) was killed on February 26, 2022, in the city of Mariupol, Donetsk region during a firefight with the enemy in the area of the Illich Iron and Steel Works. After receiving a fatal injury, Fedir in the hospital. He was 21 years old. Fedir was born and raised in Kharkiv. He was the only and beloved son in the family. From childhood, he adored various sports: taekwondo, dancing, swimming, cycling, football, hockey, rollerblading, and skating. In adulthood, he was engaged in extreme cycling. He loved to travel and had almost traveled all over Ukraine. He had been to Italy and France. He had leadership and organizational qualities. He was able to protect himself and others. "The son loved communication. There were always many friends around him. From childhood, he had a charming smile," recalls his mother, Kateryna. After completing nine grades at Gymnasium No. 132, Fedir entered the Kharkiv Vocational College of Food Industry of Kharkiv National Technical University of Agriculture named after Petro Vasilenko. He stu as a mechanic. During his studies, he was an activist of the civil corps "Azov" and had many friends from the Azov Regiment. Already in 2018-2019, the guy clearly saw himself in the military and aspired to join the ranks of the unit. To do this, he actively prepared and was already enrolled in the personnel lists of the unit in the fall of 2019. Childhood friends remember Fedir as a reliable and loyal friend and the best son. He was cheerful and straightforward, had his own view on any situation. "My childhood was the best because I had a brother," says his cousin, Victoria. "I still can't believe that the man who taught me to ride a bike, who we got into trouble with, who I shared secrets with, is no longer in my life. He was the best friend, brother, son, and grandson. He protected, supported, gave advice and admonition. I'm proud of my brother! I'm grateful to our parents for raising us as friends, caring, independent, and good people." Fedir always strived to become better and did everything possible for this: he went to courses to improve his qualifications at the military school named after Colonel Yevhen Konovalets. He passed all stages of preparation and received awards. When the full-scale Russian invasion began, Fedir was in the ranks of the separate special purpose detachment "Azov" in Mariupol. Despite his busy schedule, he found the opportunity to contact all relatives and loved ones who were in Kharkiv and suffering from Russian shelling on the morning of February 24, 2022. He gave advice to everyone: what to do, where to go, what to take with them. He was in touch and wrote messages. For his brave deeds, the warrior was posthumously awarded the Order "For Courage" III degree. In Kharkiv, a memorial plaque will be installed on the facade of the building where Fedir Pugach lived. At home, the defender was awaited by his mother, grandmother, grandfather, and loyal friends.