Mykhailo Yu. Sviontek (China)

Senior soldier Mykhailo Svyontek (call sign China) was killed on May 20, 2022, during the defense of Mariupol, Donetsk region. The warrior did not live to see his 21st birthday by 8 days. Mykhailo was born in the village of Harmaky in the Vinnytsia region. He had a younger brother Andrii and sister Daryna. "The children had very good relationships, and Mykhailo basically raised his sister from childhood. He could do absolutely anything for her," his mother Alona said. After finishing the 9th grade at Harmaky School, Mykhailo entered the Barska Automobile Technical School, majoring in "Transportation Operator". "Mykhailo studied very well at school. He loved football, fishing, the forest. He could and loved to cook. But his greatest interest in life was military affairs, military equipment, weapons, everything related to the army. He loved to run. Constantly, when he came home, he would run in any weather. That's how he prepared himself for military service. He dreamed of joining the famous 'Azov'. He said he didn't want to go anywhere else. The son was kind, cheerful, always happy. He didn't shy away from work, always helped in everything," the mother recalled. On December 1, 2020, after graduating from the technical school, Mykhailo went to do his military service in the army, which he served in Kalynivka, Vinnytsia region. In April 2021, he signed a contract. "Our son was very righteous and fair. He wanted to defend Ukraine, defend the truth. Even in Kalynivka, he wanted to go to the East, to the combat zone, to really defend and uphold freedom, independence and justice," Alona added. Later, Mykhailo wrote a report to be transferred to serve in Mariupol. In December 2021, he was enlisted in military unit 3057. During the full-scale invasion, the guy defended Ukraine as part of the Azov. He was a machine gunner. For 1.5 years, from March 2022, the defender was considered missing. At the end of August 2023, his body was identified based on DNA analysis. "The circumstances of his death are unknown. According to the forensic expert, the wounds were not fatal. We think he gave his first aid kit to his comrades-in-arms. Whether this is true or not, only his commander can tell, but he is in captivity," the mother said. "The last time we communicated was on March 25. The son was cheerful, said everything was fine, they were moving to another position. We talked for a very long time, about everything, as if for the last time. Now I understand: he knew he wouldn't come back." The defender was buried on September 3, 2023 in his native village of Harmaky in the Vinnytsia region. Mykhailo is survived by his parents, younger brother and sister. Posthumously, Senior Soldier Mykhailo Svyontek was awarded the Order of Courage, 3rd degree.