Oleh V. Mudrak (Sukhar)

35-year-old Major Oleh Mudrak (call sign Sukhar) died on February 21, 2023 in Dnipro due to cardiac arrest. This happened 5 months after the warrior returned from Russian captivity. The officer defended Mariupol and the Azovstal plant, went through captivity and torture by the occupiers, and was imprisoned in Olenivka during the terrorist attack. During the prisoner exchange on September 21, 2022, he returned exhausted, with serious health problems. Oleh was born in Kyiv. He studied at the National University of Ostroh Academy. Since 2014, he has participated in the Russian-Ukrainian war. He was the commander of the 1st battalion of the separate special forces unit of the National Guard of Ukraine "Azov". After the full-scale invasion, he defended Mariupol. In March, he was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd degree. In May 2022, he was taken prisoner by the Russians along with his comrades-in-arms. "A steel man, my support, my pride, my beacon and an example of character! He burned with this life, enjoyed it and ignited the hearts of all the people around him. He did everything possible to make me who I am. Therefore, he will never disappear from my head and heart. He always said that he did not want his death to be a celebration of tears. He wanted his people to gather together and, smiling, remember the best moments associated with him," wrote his nephew Danylo Mudrak. The officer's body was cremated. The ashes were buried at the Lukyanivske Military Cemetery in Kyiv. Oleh is survived by his mother, brother, relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms.