Ihor O. Kuchuk (Khmuryi)

37-year-old defender Ihor Kuchuk (call sign Khmuryy) was killed on September 11, 2022, during the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region. Near Kupiansk, the car of Ukrainian soldiers hit an enemy mine. Ihor was born in Kharkiv. He worked as a sales manager. He loved to sing karaoke and watch Marvel movies. He had many plans for the future. He wanted to buy a home and go to the sea. However, the war destroyed everything. During the full-scale Russian invasion, the man joined the ranks of the special unit "Kraken" to defend Ukraine. Although by law he could have left, as he had three underage children from his first marriage. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Kharkiv region. In the summer, Khmuryy was awarded an incentive badge of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine "For Combat Merit". In the spring, Ihor met a volunteer named Olena on the war. They helped each other. He protected her, and she provided him with medicines, candles, and everything he needed. Soon the couple started dating. "I'm 42 years old. I no longer believed that love existed, but Ihor turned my universe upside down. He always held my hand, cared for me and my son. I dreamed of giving birth to a daughter for him after the war, as he already has three sons. Unfortunately, I didn't have time," Olena said. To remember her beloved, the woman made a tattoo: a cat in military uniform and a kitten in Ukrainian clothes. "The tattoo means that Ihor's feat of liberating Kharkiv will forever be in my heart. I wear his chevron so that everyone can see his call sign - Khmuryy. Heroes should be known," Olena said. "Ihor was a very deep person, kind, sincere, modest... a true hero. He had a good sense of humor. He came to the military enlistment office in February after the Russians destroyed his home. He helped his comrades-in-arms, adored cats and fried potatoes. He managed to fulfill his dream - he got a tattoo in honor of his sons," added the defender's beloved. Ihor was buried in the Alley of Glory of the Kharkiv cemetery. The hero left behind a mother, three sons, and a beloved.