Marian O. Prokhorenkov (Khyzhyi)

26-year-old soldier Maryan Prokhorenko (call sign "Khyzhyi) was killed on August 2, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission in the Zaporizhia region. As a result of enemy artillery shelling, he sustained fatal injuries. Maryan was born in the village of Bir, Lviv region. He graduated from school in the village of Sasiv. He then enrolled in the Technological Professional College of the National Forestry University, majoring in "Forestry". He obtained his higher education in the chosen field at the Lviv National Forestry University of Ukraine. He worked as a post office operator at the "Nova Poshta" company in Zolochiv. He was passionate about the art of tattooing, making tattoos for himself, his brothers, and friends. He was interested in literature, loved good music and poetry, especially the works of Zhadan, Stus, and Symonenko. He was a skilled cook and dreamed of traveling. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he had wanted to defend Ukraine, but was rejected three times by the local military enlistment office due to health issues. However, with the start of Ukraine's offensive actions in October 2022, he finally joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade, holding the position of a crew member in a mechanized unit. He defended the borders of the Sumy region. Later, he underwent military training in Poland and, upon his return, participated in offensive actions in the Zaporizhia region. "He was the best, and this cursed war took him from us... We will always be proud of his deed and will do everything for Ukraine to know the name of the Hero who gave his life for it. Despite everything, he always remained positive, had a keen sense of justice, and always spoke his mind. We knew he would not act otherwise... Maryan said that he is 'a guy, a man, a soldier, and cannot look at the evil these bastards have brought,' that 'people live here and are afraid, I cannot do otherwise, I have to protect our people.' We must all continue to work every day for victory, so as not to dishonor Maryan's memory. We embrace him forever..." - wrote Viktoria, a close friend of the fallen soldier. The warrior was buried in the village of Sasiv, Lviv region. Maryan is survived by his mother, sister, and two brothers.