Mykola M. Vlasenko (Maga)

Sergeant Major Mykola Vlasenko (call sign MAGA) was killed on July 23, 2023 near the village of Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region. While carrying out a combat mission, he received fatal shrapnel wounds as a result of enemy fire. The warrior was forever 32 years old. Mykola was born in the village of Mala Kardashynka, Kherson region. He studied at the Sumy branch of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs. He was a dog handler. In 2014-2019, he served under contract in the ranks of military unit 3056 of the National Guard of Ukraine. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) / Joint Forces Operation (JFO). In 2019-2020, he served in the National Police of Ukraine. Then he went abroad to work. After returning to his homeland, he worked in an organization that produces nets. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the man again joined the ranks of the National Guard and went to defend his country from the enemy. He served in the 15th Operational Purpose Brigade named after the Hero of Ukraine, Lieutenant Bohdan Zavada. He was the chief sergeant. "My beloved always said: heroes are those who gave their lives for Ukraine and all of us. However, despite all the events that happened, everything he did, he considered insufficient and knew that he could do more. From the first day of the full-scale invasion, he voluntarily went to his unit in Kherson, did not retreat a single step and did not regret it. Mykola was a very bright and positive person and could always come to help and support. This is a very heavy loss. Above all, he was afraid of dying without leaving anything or anyone behind. He very much wanted a daughter. I just can't believe my beloved is no more... Lately, he talked about death very often, as if preparing me for this heavy loss, asked me to promise that I would be strong, constantly repeated the same thing: 'You know that I have always believed in you and will believe! Even if I'm not around! You are very strong and you can do anything! I love you very much, I will always be with you, even if I'm gone! Just hold on, please!'" the fallen warrior's fiancée Darya said. The National Guard soldier was buried in the Alley of Glory cemetery in the village of Matviyivka, Mykolaiv region.