Oleh O. Kuziiev (Kuzia)

Senior soldier Oleg Kuziyev (call sign Kuzya) was killed on August 19, 2022, while performing a combat mission in the vicinity of the village of Oleksandrivka in the Kherson region. On September 26, the defender would have turned 25 years old. Oleg was born in the village of Semykhatky in the Odesa region. He obtained a profession as an electric gas welder in vocational school. From 2016 to 2019, he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Forces Operation and was discharged after being wounded. In civilian life, he worked as a tractor driver and assistant combine harvester operator at the "Obriy" company in the village of Novokarbivka in the Odesa region. Outside of work, he loved to play football. He dedicated his free time to his family, especially his daughter. On the third day of the full-scale Russian invasion, February 26, 2022, he rejoined the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend his family and homeland from the enemy. Oleg served in the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign. He was a grenade launcher. was killed Olezhka was always a cheerful person who supported everyone. On May 8, 2022, he sustained a shrapnel wound to the left shoulder area, after which he underwent surgery to remove a fragment in Mykolaiv and was transferred to Odesa for rehabilitation, during which he was awaiting another surgery. At that time, our daughter was also hospitalized. Despite preparing for the second surgery, and even afterwards, he would break away to see us in the hospital to provide support. I will always remember his strong hugs... He was always there for us and supported us, dreaming of a quick recovery, victory, and returning home. He wanted to see his little copy grow, his tiny girl who misses him so much. He entertained all the children in the ward, and thanks to his support, our Kiryusha recovered and healed faster. He loved her very much. When I was pregnant and still didn't know what we were expecting, Olezhka always said it was a girl, that he would have his first daughter; he dreamed so much about her. I am proud to have given him his dream, which he waited for so long, and I am learning to raise her for both of us. After being wounded, our dad enjoyed two weeks of time spent with the family and cherished his daughter, then returned to the front lines to continue defending our peace, driving the invaders from our land... We miss him so much..." wrote the wife of the fallen, Maria. was killed The defender was buried in his native village. At home, his wife and daughter were waiting for Oleg.