Illia S. Tantsiura

23-year-old sailor Illia Tantsiura was killed on September 29, 2022, while performing a combat mission near the settlement of Bereznehuvate in the Mykolaiv region. The defender's life was cut short by enemy missile shelling. Illia was born in the city of Derhachi, Kharkiv region. He graduated from the Faculty of Law of Hryhorii Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University. During his studies, he worked as a bartender. He was interested in cars and technology. After graduation, he decided to connect his life with the military. He signed a contract with the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrohradskyy. During the full-scale Russian invasion, Illia continued to defend Ukraine as part of his unit. "He was the best son in the world. Our life lost its meaning without him... He dreamed of returning home, to his native Derhachi, and opening a family cafe where we could work together. He was a man with a capital letter - I'm not afraid to say it - both at school, in life, and in service. Now there is only a bright memory of him in the hearts of the people he crossed paths with," said the father of the fallen Serhii. The defender was buried in the Alley of Heroes in Odesa. Illia is survived by his parents, brother, and wife.