Mykhailo V. Riazantsev

Michael Ryazantsev, aged 40, was killed in action in March 2022 during the battles near the town of Marinka in Donetsk region. Michael was born in the city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, into a large family. He was the third child of eight and the first son of his parents. He graduated from Donbas State Machine-Building Academy. After completing his military service, he returned to his hometown and worked as an engineer at the "Donmet" factory. When the Russian-Ukrainian war began, he was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As part of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa, he fought for his native Donbas. After demobilization, he returned to the factory. On the second day of the full-scale war, February 25, 2022, Michael was mobilized again into the ranks of the 54th Brigade. As the commander of the drone control platoon, he first fought in the area of Volnovakha, then near Marinka. His relatives collected necessary items for him at the front and constantly worried. Shortly before his death, Michael received a communication amplifier for his unit from volunteers. Then the relatives felt a little calmer because he could contact them more often. However, on March 19, communication with him was lost. On March 23, the military commissariat informed Michael's relatives that he was alive. But on March 27, his father received a "bereavement notice". In 2021, Michael's mother passed away, so for his father, this was his second great loss. "For me, he was a cousin who was closer than a brother. Because he was an example of steadfastness, courage, a true man. He treated his parents and family with great respect, was a worthy citizen of his country. Now Russia is taking away the best," Michael's cousin Olena told journalists. The defender was buried in his native Kramatorsk. Michael is survived by his wife and two children: a 9-year-old daughter and a young son.