Ivan A. Marusyk (Bars)

Sergeant Ivan Marusyk (call sign Bars) was killed on February 3, 2023, near the village of Chervonopopivka in the Luhansk region. While participating in the evacuation of the wounded, hostile artillery shelling began. The warrior was 22 years old. Ivan was born and lived in the village of Kadubivtsi, Chernivtsi region. He graduated from the Chernivtsi Automotive Service Lyceum, obtaining the qualifications of an electric gas welder and car body repairman. He worked in construction in Chernivtsi and was engaged in European-style renovations. He was interested in cars, loved nature and animals, and enjoyed traveling. During the full-scale invasion, Ivan fought for his native country in the ranks of the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade, holding the position of deputy commander of a combat vehicle, gunner-operator. "He grew up as an ordinary village boy - kind, cheerful, always smiling, sociable, hardworking. He treated the elders with respect and helped the younger ones. He got married on the first day of the war and was eagerly awaiting the birth of his firstborn. He dreamed of seeing his first steps and hearing his first words... But the war changed everything... He bravely went to defend his native land. He didn't even think of avoiding this mission. After returning from training in the UK, he carried out combat missions with dignity. He worried about his comrades-in-arms and rooted for Ukraine. He dreamed of victory and life in a free, independent, renewed homeland without Muscovites. But he did not live to see the victory. He had many plans and ideas that we will try to implement under the peaceful sky, from which you, our brave Hero, our Ivan, will be watching over us. After your death, our time has stopped, we are not living. We are as if in a terrible dream that never ends... We don't believe that we won't be able to hug you again. We love you infinitely, we are always waiting for you. You were our support, our advisor and our hope. The best son, loving grandson, wonderful friend, dear brother, beloved husband, wisest dad, sincere Ukrainian, faithful comrade-in-arms, strong godfather, gentle uncle... We miss your love, wisdom, and kindness..." - said the mother of the fallen warrior. The paratrooper was buried in his native village. Ivan is survived by his mother Ulyana, father Anatoliy, grandmothers Maria and Kateryna, brother Oleksandr, sister Viktoriia, wife Anastasiia, and son Maksym, who was born in September 2022.