Ivan P. Kochubei (Mars)

Senior Sergeant Ivan Kochubei (call sign Mars) was killed on March 12, 2024, while carrying out a combat mission in the village of Tonenkhe, Donetsk region. The position where Ivan was fighting was hit by an enemy drone. In June, Ivan would have turned 35 years old. He was born in the city of Glukhiv, Sumy region. He obtained a higher pedagogical education, but worked mainly in trade. He was engaged in sports and read a lot. In peacetime, he held the position of a trade representative. During the Great War, the man entered the university, planning to obtain the specialty of an agronomist. He took up the defense of Ukraine from the first days of the full-scale invasion, joining the ranks of the 53rd separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Vladimir Monomakh. He went through Vuhledar, Bakhmut, Avdiivka. He was awarded the medal "For Firmness of Spirit" and the badge "Best Sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". "My husband was very active, cheerful, initiative, easy-going. In almost all photos, he is smiling. Energy was pouring out of him. He never complained, but stoically endured all troubles. He adored his son, he was a father to dream of. He also loved me, his wife, very much. I felt protected and beautiful with him. Without him, it became very empty inside..." - said Maria Malysheva-Kochubei. The warrior was buried at the Veryhinskyi cemetery in his native Glukhiv. Ivan is survived by his wife, son, parents and sister.