Ihor V. Lyndiuk (Yeher)

Senior Lieutenant Igor Lyndyuk (call sign Hunter) was killed on March 23, 2022, in Mariupol, Donetsk region. During street fighting, he was hit by mortar fire and received injuries incompatible with life. He was 53 years old. Igor was born in the city of Chisinau (Moldova) in a military family. He graduated from school in Germany, in a military garrison, where the whole family moved for a while due to the father's business trip. As a child, he was fond of toy knightly battles, drawing brave cuirassiers on the walls of the apartment. He loved to learn. He was especially interested in history. His compulsory military service in Tartu (Estonia), at the strategic bomber airbase under the command of the famous Jokhar Dudayev, made a huge impression on him. He received an education as an engineer-zoologist at a Hungarian university as part of a student exchange program, where he also underwent practical training in one of the country's forestry enterprises. Later, Igor graduated from the Nizhyn Electrical Engineering Technical School and the officer courses of the National Guard Academy. He knew Ukrainian, Hungarian, Romanian, and Russian languages. He started a family in Ivano-Frankivsk region. He worked as an electrician, later as a manager and hunter in a private enterprise in the Carpathians. He was engaged in the breeding of trout and sturgeon, bred noble deer and pheasants. The events of the Revolution of Dignity, the shootings of people on Maidan became turning points in Igor's life. In 2014, he joined the ranks of the volunteer battalion "Golden Gate". In October 2015, he transferred to the separate special purpose unit "Azov", served in the special purpose reconnaissance group. His comrades-in-arms remember him as one of the best masters of his craft. In the unit, Igor formed and initiated a professional sniper group, did everything possible to preserve the life of each fighter, he had fantastic intuition, so it was always reliable with him. Hunter was very effective, the best sniper in the reconnaissance company. He was on all combat trips of the reconnaissance company of the regiment from 2015. He was engaged in counter-sniper and counter-sabotage activities. In particular, he actively participated in the elaboration of one of the successful operations of the group called "Apple Tree" in 2019. He loved to travel and dreamed of getting to know Ukraine even more and seeing other countries. His relatives say that the mountains had some magical meaning for Igor. A backpack and another ascent to the top in any season were his necessity. He spoke calmly, thoughtfully, with an understanding of causes and consequences about important and complex things. With his inherent wisdom, he knew how to accept life as a whole, in all its manifestations. He was a man with his own inner support point. And he knew how to become a support for his loved ones. He was unyieldingly steel in matters concerning good and evil. He firmly believed that good must be protected. Until the last day, the military was at the forefront of defense, protecting Mariupol from Russian invaders. Igor left behind his mother, son, and sister. Over the years of devoted service, he was awarded with awards, including the medal "For participation in the anti-terrorist operation" and the Order "For Courage" III degree (posthumously).