Kostiantyn I. Shykalov (Kotia)

45-year-old junior sergeant Kostiantyn Shykalov (call sign Kotia) was killed on December 5, 2022 near the village of Zelene Pole in the Donetsk region. When he was driving on a combat mission with his comrades, the vehicle hit a mine and exploded. Kostiantyn and another soldier were killed. Kostiantyn was a native of Zaporizhzhia. He graduated from the Zaporizhzhia Vocational School and obtained the profession of a gas welder. He worked in his specialty at the "Motor Sich" company, and later in the real estate sector. Before the invasion, he worked as a storekeeper at a pharmaceutical warehouse. Shortly before the war, he became interested in fishing. He was a participant in the Anti-Terrorist Operation. During the full-scale Russian invasion, the man joined the ranks of the 110th separate brigade of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was the commander of a rifle platoon in the 116th battalion. "Kostiantyn always dreamed of being a soldier, so in 2014, during the war, he unhesitatingly went to the army. Then he served in the ranks of the 93rd brigade 'Kholodnyi Yar'. In 2015, he was demobilized, but in 2016 he went again, this time as an artilleryman in the 55th brigade, where he served for about half a year. In 2022, he went as a volunteer. He was a patriot and wanted to do everything to end the war! He wanted a better future for his children. He was a very bright and kind person. This is a huge loss for the family and friends! He was a caring and caring father and husband, family was above all for him!" - his wife Svitlana said. The defender was buried at the Levanevskoho cemetery in his hometown. Kostiantyn is survived by his mother, wife, and two sons.