Kostiantyn M. Uvarenko (Messi)

Intelligence officer Kostiantyn Uvarenko (call sign Messi) was killed on May 14, 2022, while carrying out a combat mission to unblock a position that had been surrounded, in the area of the village of Bohorodychne in the Donetsk region. While repelling the enemy's offensive, the fighter fired an anti-tank grenade launcher at the enemy's armored vehicles. In the battle, he received a fatal shrapnel wound to the head. The warrior was 38 years old. Kostiantyn was born in the village of Afrikanivka, Kharkiv region. He graduated from the general secondary school in his native village. He worked at the "AIZ" factory as a press operator. He was passionate about football and fishing. He lived with his family in the city of Mykolaivka in the Donetsk region. During the full-scale Russian invasion, the man defended Ukraine in the ranks of the 90th separate airmobile battalion named after the Hero of Ukraine, Senior Lieutenant Ivan Zubkov, as part of the 81st Airborne Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the position of a 2nd category sniper in the reconnaissance platoon. "Kostiantyn was a professional, decisive, and prudent. On May 12 at 6:30 a.m., having reached the cut-off position, he organized the evacuation of the wounded. He skillfully established combat duty, together with the supply group, delivered ammunition, food and grenade launchers to the cut-off position, bypassing enemy patrols. On May 14, 2022, after changing his post, he volunteered to reinforce the position. Taking a grenade launcher, he detected the enemy's armored vehicles. While firing at the tanks, he was killed. He loved his work, was a friendly and kind person," said the commander of the fallen, Roman. "My husband was an extraordinary, very kind and bright person, brave and courageous, the best father and husband. He will forever remain in our memory and our hearts," said the beloved fallen warrior, Oksana. The hero was buried in his native village. Kostiantyn left behind a father, brother, three sons, a daughter, and a civil wife. Posthumously, Sergeant Kostiantyn Uvarenko was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.