Oleksandr A. Bondaruk (Mekhanik)

35-year-old soldier Oleksandr Bondaruk (call sign Mekhanik) was killed on April 5, 2023 near the village of Kuzmyne in the Luhansk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he received a fatal shrapnel wound as a result of enemy mortar fire. Oleksandr was born in the village of Zymna Voda, Lviv region. He lived in Lviv. He obtained the profession of mechanical engineer at the Lviv Polytechnic National University. He worked as a locomotive driver at the Lviv Railway. With the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the man voluntarily went to military service. He became a fighter of the 125th separate brigade of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Initially, he was a driver of a rifle unit. In December 2022, he was seconded as a squad commander to the 93rd separate mechanized brigade and went to defend Bakhmut. In March 2023, the fighter was awarded the "Badge of Honor". A month before his death, Oleksandr was seconded to the 95th separate air assault brigade. "Sasha was a very kind and sensitive person with a big heart, who always supported and helped, was a loving husband, father and just a friend. He voluntarily went to defend our country, despite the fact that he had a deferment on the railway, a disabled mother and a brother who also served in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," said the deceased's acquaintance Olga. "Oleksandr was a good son, husband and father. He made his choice and stood up for our state. He didn't have time to do many things here, with us, but he will forever remain in our hearts," added the family friend Ivanna. The defender was buried in his native village. Oleksandr is survived by his mother, brother, wife and two children.