Ivan I. Afanasiev (Afonia)

A 25-year-old soldier, Ivan Afanasyev (call sign Afonya), was killed in action on April 22, 2022, near the village of Vilkhivka in the Kharkiv region. Returning from a combat mission, the group of defenders came under enemy fire. During this shelling, their car blew up on an anti-tank mine. Ivan was born and lived in Kyiv. He stu at school No. 262. Then he graduated from the Kyiv Professional College of Railway Transport named after Volodymyr Kudryashov. He continued his studies at the transport infrastructure college. He wanted to become a driver of the Kyiv Metro, but his life changed drastically in a moment. He fell in love with drawings and paints, with the art of tattooing. He was a professional in his field, opened a tattoo studio "White bear tattoo", left his mark on the bodies of many people not only in Ukraine but also abroad. He trained several students who continue his work with the same passion. Ivan was an active person. He adored fishing. He was engaged in sports all his life. He was a candidate for master of sports in acrobatics, a prize-winner of many football championships.After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, he immediately decided that he would go to defend his homeland. However, he first took care of his family and took them out of the combat zone. In March 2022, he joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the position of rifleman-assistant grenade launcher in a special operations forces unit. On duty, he proved himself to be a reliable comrade and a courageous fighter. "He had a firm life position, was a fighter for justice, never abandoned in trouble and always helped everyone. He loved life and cheerful companies. He was a faithful friend and an extraordinary son. He had many plans for life: marriage, travels, improving his professional skills and in general - conquering the world. He was ambitious and impatient, sincere and devoted, loving and dreamy," said Ivan's mother, Olena. The warrior was buried at the Berkovetsky cemetery in Kyiv. Ivan left behind his parents, younger brother, and fiancée. Ivan Afanasyev was awarded the medals "Faithfulness to the Oath" and "For the Defense of Kharkiv" and posthumously - the Order "For Courage" III degree.