Mykhailo M. Nikonets (Bublyk)

Defender of Mariupol Mykhailo Nikonenko (call sign Bublyk) was killed on May 14, 2022, at the Azovstal plant. The fighter was caught in an artillery shelling. His comrades managed to evacuate him to the hospital, but unfortunately, he was killed from blood loss. Two months later, Bublyk would have turned 30 years old. Mykhailo was born in Uman, Cherkasy region. He stuwas killed at the Uman City Gymnasium and General Education School No. 5. He grew up curious, inquisitive, restless, active, and energetic. He attended almost all the clubs available at school. He played musical instruments (accordion, flute), went to dance classes, recited poetry beautifully, and sang. He loved bicycles, skateboarding, and parkour. After school, he obtained a qualification as a car repair technician at the Uman Professional Agrarian Lyceum. Later, he worked at a service station. The young man was an active participant in the Revolution of Dignity, where he joined the "Right Sector." Since 2015, he served in the Azov regiment. He participated in battles for the village of Shyrokyne in Donetsk region. On March 24, 2022, as part of an air assault by helicopter, he flew to the already-blockaded Mariupol to assist his comrades. There, together with his fellow fighters, Bublyk defended the city and the Azovstal plant. The soldier's body remains at Azovstal. His loved ones hope they will be able to give their hero a dignified burial. Mykhailo is survived only by his mother.