Ivan H. Samoviuk (Sirko)

Junior Lieutenant Ivan Samovyuk (call sign Sirko) was killed on October 25, 2022, while performing a combat mission in the area of Davydiv Brid village in the Kherson region. The officer sustained shrapnel wounds to the head and neck as a result of enemy shelling. In October, the defender turned 31 years old. Ivan was born and lived in Kyiv. He studied at Kyiv School No. 82. He graduated from the National Aviation University with a degree in "Electronic Systems." He worked as a sales manager. He was passionate about photography and sports. He was a professional runner and a member of the running club "Squad UA Runners." He ran half-marathons and marathons in various cities across Ukraine. During the full-scale war, Ivan defended Ukraine as part of the 137th Separate Marine Battalion of the 35th Naval Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a platoon commander and commander of an assault group. "He was a person with a capital letter! Always smiling, kind, decent, ready to sacrifice himself for others. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he wanted to be useful in the war: he volunteered every day, helped the military, cared for them in hospitals, and was a donor. After mobilization, he intended to destroy the enemy with weapons, not to sit in the rear. He was passionate about military affairs, constantly learning new things, calling his job the best in the world. His comrades speak proudly of their commander. They recall that he cared for every soldier," said the officer's wife, Inna. "Sirko was a person with a big heart, the kindest and most honest. He was someone who always came to help. Everyone loved and respected him! Despite various life circumstances, he always had a smile on his face! He lived a short but very eventful life," added his sister Alona. "Another loss among the guys we shared a mat with… We trained together in wrestling for 11 years… Eternal memory to the hero!" wrote Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling Jean Belenyuk. Ivan was buried at the Alley of Heroes in Lykianivske Cemetery in Kyiv. At home, his parents, sister, wife, and son were waiting for him.