Mykola O. Buriak (Polkovnyk)

Senior Sergeant Mykola Buryak (call sign Colonel) was killed on May 18, 2022, while performing a combat mission near the village of Veselye in the Kharkiv region. In April, the defender turned 39 years old. Mykola was born in the village of Krasne in the Kharkiv region. He graduated from the local secondary school. He later obtained a qualification as a CNC machine operator at the Kharkiv Center for Vocational and Technical Education of the State Employment Service. He mostly worked in construction. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was an avid football player. He loved speed and cars but was a cautious driver. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas. During the full-scale war, he defended Ukraine as part of the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Cossack Ataman Ivan Sirko. He was a scout and defended his native Kharkiv region. During his service, Mykola was repeatedly recognized by the command with awards and certificates. In particular, he held the Order of Courage III class, and posthumously he was awarded the Order of Courage II class. "Mykola was a sincere and compassionate person, with a warm heart and kind soul, a caring father and loving son, brother, reliable friend, protector, and support for his family. He treated his parents with great respect. He loved life, people, and his native land. He was honest, responsible, goal-oriented, and a true patriot of his country," said a friend of the deceased, Victoria. The soldier was buried in his native village. Mykola is survived by his mother Olena, wife Natalia, daughter Sofia, son Erik, sisters, and brother.