Kostiantyn B. Akulov (Kaban)

44-year-old soldier Kostiantyn Akulov (call sign Kaban) died on November 21, 2023 near the village of Krynky in the Kherson region. During the performance of a combat mission, while crossing the Dnipro River, he came under enemy artillery fire. Part of the group was killed, but Kostiantyn, together with other comrades-in-arms, managed to cross and found himself on the left bank. Subsequently, during another artillery bombardment, he sustained shrapnel and explosive injuries. The wounds proved fatal. Kostiantyn was born and lived in Kharkiv. He received vocational education at the Kharkiv Automobile Technical School. He worked in various fields, and his last job was at the enterprise "Siabro", where he held the position of a mechanic and was engaged in tractor repair. He was passionate about fishing and cars. On June 1, 2022, Kostiantyn became a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Initially, he served in the 302nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Kharkiv Regiment. Then he was transferred to the 540th Anti-Aircraft Missile Lviv Regiment named after Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky. From November 2023, together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Kherson direction. "My father is my Hero! I am proud of him, and my mother and grandchildren are proud of their son and grandfather-hero. My dad gave everything for us, for a free Ukraine and peace, he gave his life, having so many plans and unfulfilled dreams," wrote the deceased's daughter Anna. "Kostiantyn was the best and closest person to me, he raised me from birth and devoted a lot of time to me. His death is a huge loss for our whole family. He was a courageous and kind person. He always helped everyone around him," said his niece Karyna. Kostiantyn was buried in the Alley of Glory of the cemetery in his hometown. At home, he was awaited by his mother, wife, daughter, grandchildren, niece, and other relatives and friends. The defender was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.