Illia V. Renkas (Reks)

25-year-old senior soldier Illia Renkas (call sign Rex) was killed on January 4, 2024, defending the city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast. While repelling an enemy assault, the warrior sustained fatal wounds. Illia was born in the city of Nosivka, Chernihiv Oblast. He graduated from school in the city of Brovary, Kyiv Oblast. He obtained the profession of an automobile mechanic at the Brovary Vocational Lyceum. He worked in his specialty at a service station. He was passionate about the history of Ukraine. On February 25, 2022, he and his twin sister went to the military enlistment office. The girl was denied, and Illia was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine on March 9. Initially, he fought in the ranks of military unit A7105 in the Chernihiv and Donetsk regions. In July 2023, he was transferred to the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Major General Marko Bezruchko. The young man performed various duties: senior scout, sniper, radio operator, medical unit mechanic-driver. During his lifetime, Illia received three very dear awards to him: "Defender of the Fatherland", "Cross of the Brave" and "Golden Cross". "My brother was extraordinarily wise, intelligent, and courageous," said Ilona Renkas. The warrior was buried in the village of Mykhailivka in Zhytomyr Oblast, next to his father's grave. Illia is survived by his mother Antonina Vasylivna, sister Ilona, daughter Eva, and grandmother Hanna Dmytrivna.