Ihor V. Bukhovtsev (Prapor)

50-year-old Warrant Officer Igor Bukhovtsev (call sign "Flag) died on March 10, 2024, in a Zhytomyr hospital from an illness he contracted during military service. Igor was born in Berdychiv, Zhytomyr region. He attended school No. 5. After the 8th grade, he enrolled in the Berdychiv Mechanical Engineering College, where he obtained the qualification of a refrigeration, oil, and chemical engineering technician. In 1993, he went to the warrant officer school. After a year, he took the oath. He served his conscription in the Poltava Communication School. He then continued to serve in various military units. In total, he had 26 years of military service. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO). In 2017, he retired. He worked in construction. During the full-scale invasion, in May 2022, the man was voluntarily mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Initially, he served in the artillery division of military unit A7113. In June 2023, he was transferred to the engineering troops of military unit A4728. In February 2024, the soldier was discharged for health reasons. "My husband was a good person. A handsome, cheerful, burly kind man, a loving husband and father. He was always quick to help people. There are those whose lives he saved. Before the full-scale invasion, we traveled a lot around Ukraine as a family. He loved active recreation in nature, always photographed and admired the photos. He loved animals, and they loved him, there is even a video of him feeding a hedgehog kefir. In his youth, he bred canaries at home. He loved fishing, picking mushrooms. He enjoyed contact with nature. He was cheerful, the life of the party, knew many jokes. His comrades-in-arms said he lifted their spirits and improved their mood with his jokes in the morning. Dedicated to military service, he taught young soldiers, learned himself and encouraged, motivated soldiers to defend our country... Eternal and bright memory to our defender. Bow down and thank you for the protection. Glory to the Heroes!" - wrote the soldier's wife Tetyana. Igor was buried in Berdychiv. He is survived by his parents, sister, wife, and son.