Mykola Yu. Hertsyk

Soldier Mykola Hertsik was killed on June 15, 2022, while performing a combat mission near the village of Mazanivka in the Donetsk region. In May, the warrior turned 28 years old. Mykola was born in the village of Ugrydiv in the Lviv region. He obtained the profession of carpenter-machinist at the Chervonohrad Professional Mining and Construction College. He was married and lived with his family in the city of Chervonohrad. He worked abroad. When the full-scale war began, he was in Poland. He immediately decided to return home to defend his native country. Later, he became a fighter in the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade. He held the position of gunner-operator. "Kolia was very intelligent, kind, brave, and strong in spirit. He was handsome, manly, and pleasant to communicate with. He was cheerful, had many friends, was the life of the party, and made plans for the future. When his son was born (his copy), he wanted to get a star from the sky for him; that was his universe. He was a good husband, father, and son. He had never held a weapon before; at the beginning of the full-scale war, he voluntarily enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He said, 'If I don't go there, they will come here; I won't allow that, I must protect you.' He promised to return... He didn't like to talk about the war. He remained strong and was always positive, but I felt how exhausted he was. His son meant everything to him; Kolia even got a tattoo of his little hands and feet. Now, his son kisses his father's photo at the grave, talks to him, and brings him candies. I want this to be a terrible dream," said the soldier's wife, Nadiya. Mykola was buried in the village of Bendyuga in the Lviv region. He is survived by his parents, brother, wife, son, and two children from a previous marriage.