Illia K. Leontii

Born on July 28, 1975, in the village of Chudey, Stryzhynets district, Chernivtsi region. After some time, the family moved to the village of Cheresh, Stryzhynets district, Chernivtsi region. Completed 9 grades of general education school in the village of Cheresh, Stryzhynets district. Studied at the Chernivtsi Construction College but was forced to leave due to the difficult financial situation in the family. Worked as a builder, went for seasonal work. In the 1990s, he served in the military in a unit in the city of Kovel, Volyn region. After the army, he got married and moved to the village of Davydivka, Stryzhynets district. On April 8, 2014, he was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 87th Separate Airborne Battalion of the 80th Separate Airborne Brigade of the Red Banner Order of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (military unit A2582, city of Chernivtsi). From May 2014, he participated in the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine. On June 17, 2014, from the city of Shchastya, Luhansk region, a group of fighters from the 2nd company of the 87th Separate Airborne Battalion, which included soldier Leontiy, left on three BTR-80 armored personnel carriers to assist the fighters of the volunteer battalion "Aidar," who were engaged in combat with Russian-terrorist groups. In the area of the village of Metalist, Slovianoserbsk district, Luhansk region, the group of paratroopers was ambushed. As a result of the battle, 9 servicemen were killed, including soldier Leontiy. On June 22, 2014, he was buried in the cemetery of the village of Davydivka, Stryzhynets district.