Mykola V. Hutsalenko (Koka)

Since the 4th grade, I have been engaged in the First May branch of the specialized children's and youth sports school of Olympic reserve in kayaking and canoeing. I studied in First May for 5 years, then continued my education in Mykolaiv. I am a Master of Sports and a multiple champion of Ukraine. I graduated from the National University of Shipbuilding named after Admiral Makarov. In 2013, I enlisted in military service under contract. My first battles took place in July 2014 (Krasny Liman, Sloviansk). I participated in the heroic defense of Donetsk airport, and in November 2014, I raised the flag of Ukraine on the roof of the old terminal of the DAP. In 2015, I received the rank of junior sergeant and was appointed the chief sergeant of the platoon, after which I was sent to Odesa for a 3-month officer course under an accelerated program. In 2016, I studied for three months as an aeronautical navigator near Kharkiv.