Ihor A. Hreben (Shmel)

Captain Igor Hrebeny (call sign Shmel) was killed on October 5, 2023 in a battle with Russian occupiers in the area of Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region. On October 11, the officer would have turned 23 years old. Igor was born in the village of Kolky, Volyn region. He lived in the Lviv region. He studied at Lyceum No. 18 in Lviv. Later, he entered the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny. In his free time, he actively engaged in sports. He received the title of Ukrainian kickboxing champion. After graduation, the young officer was assigned to the 79th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He carried out combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation. He met the full-scale invasion together with his comrades-in-arms in the Luhansk region. Igor held the position of deputy commander - head of artillery of the airmobile company. He personally participated in and commanded the mortar battery units in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. According to his loved ones, the personnel of the artillery battery under the captain's command destroyed many enemy military equipment and manpower. "We were about to have a wedding soon... He was an exceptionally kind and just person, ready to help everyone. He was a professional in his field and a dedicated warrior!" - said the deceased officer's beloved Diane Pushak. The paratrooper was buried at the Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv. Igor is survived by his parents, sister, fiancée, relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms. The hero was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd degree.