Mykola M. Kachura (Siedoi)

Junior Sergeant Mykola Kachura (call sign Sjedoy) was killed on November 14, 2022, defending the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. The defender's life was cut short by enemy mortar fire. In December, the warrior would have turned 30 years old. Mykola was born in the village of Rybotyn, Chernihiv region. In 2009, he graduated from the local school. He served in the military. Later, he worked as a construction worker. He was passionate about sports, especially football and volleyball. He loved fishing. In 2014-2015, he participated in the ATO in Donbas. With the start of the full-scale war, Mykola returned to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and took up arms again. He served in the 13th battalion of the 58th separate motorized infantry brigade named after Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky. At first, he was a squad commander - the commander of a combat vehicle, and from September 2022 he held the position of platoon sergeant. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Donetsk region, namely Bakhmut, Soledar, and Pokrovske. "Mykola was a very kind and good person. You could always rely on him and share everything with him. I was behind him like a stone wall. For me, he was the best friend and husband. His comrades-in-arms said that he was a true courageous warrior, a man of his word, an example of indomitability and strength of spirit. He worthily and devotedly fulfilled the tasks of protecting the Motherland and gave his life for Ukraine. He had many plans that, unfortunately, he did not have time to implement. His constant phrases were: 'Who, if not me?' and 'Everything will be fine!' A decisive, courageous and brave warrior, the best husband, a faithful friend and brother. He loved his Motherland very much. He wanted to protect his family and could not stand aside," wrote the deceased's wife, Marina. The fighter was buried in his native village. Mykola is survived by his wife, sisters, and brothers.