Illia Ye. Kozub

Soldier Illia Kozub was killed on March 26, 2022 while carrying out a combat mission near the city of Rubizhne in the Luhansk region. In February, the warrior turned 22 years old. Illia was born in the village of Velykyi Burluk, Kharkiv region. He graduated from the gymnasium-boarding school with enhanced military and physical training "Cadet Corps". Later, he entered the National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine. He loved fishing and relaxing with friends. In 2020, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 81st separate airmobile brigade. He was a grenadier. He carried out combat missions on the territory of the Joint Forces Operation. From the first day of the full-scale war, Illia, together with his comrades-in-arms, continued to defend Ukraine from the invaders. "On March 26, 2022, the heart of my little son stopped beating. He was defending his country, his land, he was a patriot of his country, he fought to the last. Unfortunately, this war is already over for him. He was my support and hope, the meaning of my life, but this damned war took him away. My son was the sun, always smiling, cheerful, sociable, never upset by problems. He always hugged me and said he loved me," wrote the mother of the fallen Vita. "On March 26, a good guy, a real hero, was gone. He was wounded, but did not leave the battlefield and fought like a lion to the end. It is very bitter and painful that young guys are leaving life, defending their native land. We are proud that we knew you, Iliusho. For you, the war is over. But we believe that this loss is not in vain, victory will come soon thanks to such brave guys like Illia. We will always remember our heroes and never forgive! Glory to Ukraine!" was written on the page of the "Cadet Corps". The young paratrooper was buried in the Alley of Glory cemetery in Kharkiv. Illia's parents are left behind. Posthumously, soldier Illia Kozub was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.