Mykyta O. Taran (Molodoi)

Soldier Mykyta Taran (call sign Young) was killed on May 1, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission in the Donetsk direction. The defender was 33 years old. Mykyta was born and lived in Kharkiv. After finishing school, he obtained the profession of a gas welder at a vocational school. He was passionate about cars and loved car racing. He was married and raised a son. He always dreamed that his family would live in a peaceful country. When the full-scale war began, the man immediately began to help the civilian population. In particular, he delivered humanitarian aid around Kharkiv. But later he decided to take up arms and join the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Mykyta served in the 53rd separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Volodymyr Monomakh. He took part in battles in the Kherson and Donetsk regions. "A brave hero, a cheerful, courageous warrior, fought for justice, polite, the soul of the company, raised the fighting spirit of his comrades-in-arms, had dreams, loved his family and Motherland. He gave his life for us. We will forever remember his loving eyes, his sincere smile. Mykyta is our pride. He is forever in our broken hearts. We will not forget, we will not forgive!" - wrote the mother of the fallen Iryna. The warrior was buried in the Alley of Glory of cemetery No. 18 in Kharkiv. Mykyta is survived by his mother, wife and son.