Mykola O. Havryliuk (Koka)

Mykola Oleksandrovych Havryliuk (call sign Koka) was born on May 28, 1981, in the village of Zelenyi Rih, Cherkasy region. Here he spent his childhood and youth. In 1999, Mykola Havryliuk was drafted for compulsory military service, which he completed in the 8th Separate Special Purpose Regiment "Jaguar" (now the 14th Operational Brigade named after Ivan Bohun "Chervona Kalyna" of the National Guard of Ukraine). Since then, the city of Kalynivka in Vinnytsia region has become a home for the military man. He got married here and bought a house. Later, Mykola Havryliuk had children. Relatives say that Mykola Havryliuk had a clear patriotic stance. He was demanding of himself and others, always telling people the truth. Despite his service commitments, Mykola Havryliuk found time for his loved ones. He loved spending time with his family, often visiting his parents in his native village and always helping them. Military service was also important for Mykola Havryliuk, to which he dedicated over 23 years of his life. In 2000, after completing his mandatory service, he signed a contract and continued his service in the National Guard of Ukraine. Since 2014, when the Russian-Ukrainian war began, he was hardly ever at home, defending Ukraine in various areas of the front. He was respected by colleagues from different units and services, and for his comrades, Mykola was the best commander. He repeatedly saved their lives at the front, earning immense respect. The guys often called him Father. In 2020, Mykola's military contract ended, and he decided to learn a civilian profession and also pursue higher education at Uman Pedagogical University. He planned to build a career, but his plans changed after the full-scale invasion of Russian occupiers. On February 25, 2022, Mykola Havryliuk returned to his native unit, took up arms, and went to defend his homeland. On August 29, 2023, during combat operations at an observation post near the village of Verbove in the Zaporizhia region, Junior Lieutenant Mykola Havryliuk sustained multiple injuries during a firefight, mortar, and artillery shelling. He was taken to the hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. Throughout his life, Mykola Oleksandrovych Havryliuk received numerous state awards, including the "15 Years of Honest Service" medal, the "Defender of the Fatherland" medal, and the Order of "Courage" III degree.