Mykhailo M. Hryshchenko (Bortnyk)

Defender Mykhailo Hryshchenko (call sign Bortnik) was killed on February 19, 2024, in the village of Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he sustained injuries incompatible with life during an enemy artillery barrage. The soldier was 33 years old. Mykhailo was born in the village of Meleni, Zhytomyr region. In 2007, he graduated from the 10th grade of the local school. He then studied at the Kyiv Higher Vocational School of Railway Transport. He obtained the profession of a wagon inspector-repairman. Later, at the same educational institution, he received the profession of a passenger car conductor. He graduated from the Vinnytsia Transport College in the field of "Operation and Repair of Equipment". He worked for Ukrzaliznytsia. He was a conductor. During the full-scale invasion, on March 18, 2022, Mykhailo took up the defense of the Motherland. He fought as part of the 197th battalion of the 124th separate brigade of the territorial defense. He held the position of anti-aircraft gunner in the anti-aircraft missile artillery platoon of the fire support company. He defended the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Donetsk regions. His call sign was Bortnik - this is how they called his grandfather in the village, who was engaged in beekeeping. "The best man in the whole world. He was sensitive and loving. A jack of all trades. He really loved to repair computers. Mishka always supported and joked, that's why I called him my Universe. He could understand anyone, give effective advice, never left in trouble, always came to help, did not hide behind the backs of others. From the first days of the full-scale war, he took up the defense of Ukraine and his family. Mishka will forever remain in my memory, heart and soul as a beloved, sensitive and loving husband," wrote his wife Viktoria. Mykhailo was buried in his native village. The defender is survived by his mother Natalia, brother Oleksandr, and wife Viktoria.