Ivan M. Volochii

Ivan Mykolaiovych Volochii was born on June 20, 1995, in the village of Berestok, Zalishchyky district, Ternopil region. Since high school, the young man dreamed of studying at the National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, as his older brother was already a border guard cadet. The young man's dream came true, and in 2016 he donned a green cap and lieutenant's epaulettes. He initially served in the Northern Regional Administration. Since 2018, as part of one of the units, he participated in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO). During his service in the 11th Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, he held the position of deputy head of the border service department. Ivan met the full-scale invasion of the enemy on the line of demarcation near the city of Mariinka in Donetsk region. Later, a group of soldiers under Ivan's command was sent to reinforce the Armed Forces of Ukraine in another direction. In March 2022, despite the resistance of our defenders and significant enemy losses, the Russian occupation forces advanced towards the city of Izium in Kharkiv region. On March 7, 2022, the defenders halted the enemy's advance during its attempt to cross the "Dnipro-Donbas" canal near the village of Hrushevakha in Kharkiv region. Delaying the Russian troops, a mobile group commanded by Major Ivan Volochii, together with comrades from the 81st Separate Air Assault Brigade, retreated to the second line of defense, while Ivan, along with two soldiers who covered him with small arms fire, remained on the first line of defense and used his mobile phone to adjust artillery fire on enemy forces, preventing them from advancing further. After another counterattack, the enemy tracked the commander on the battlefield and began to fire continuously from a tank at Ivan's position. Understanding the enemy's intention, Major Ivan Volochii decided to change positions, but this did not save him. Unfortunately, as a result of a tank shot, he sustained injuries incompatible with life. Ivan Volochii was buried on March 9, 2022, in his native village. For the courage and heroism displayed in the struggle against the enemy for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state, bravery, and selflessness, Major Ivan Mykolaiovych Volochii was posthumously awarded the title of "Hero of Ukraine" and the Order of the "Golden Star."