Oleksandr A. Melnyk (Melia)

The defender of Mariupol, Oleksandr Melnyk (call sign Melia), killed in action on February 28, 2022, during the defense of the city from the occupiers. Two days before his death, the fighter turned 29 years old. Oleksandr was born in the village of Klymbivka, Vinnytsia region. He graduated from Vinnytsia Humanitarian and Pedagogical College with a degree in physical education teacher. He worked as a sports instructor for six months. Then he graduated from Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University named after Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky. In 2016, the man began defending his homeland in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 36th Separate Marine Brigade of Ukraine named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynsky. He was a scout. He participated in ATO / OOS and was repeatedly awarded. Alexander met the full-scale Russian invasion together with his comrades-in-arms near Mariupol in Donetsk region. Heavy fighting began there from the first days. During one of them, Alexander was killed. His life was cut short by artillery fire. Posthumously, Senior Sailor Oleksandr Melnyk was awarded the Order "For Courage" III degree. "He was the best, most sensitive, kindest, and most caring person I have ever known in my life. I will always remember his phrase, which he said before each rotation: 'Sunshine, do not cry, because life is war, and war is life.' My Hero, my love to the sky," says the defender's wife, Victoria. Oleksandr left behind his parents, brother, wife, and son, who was five months old at the time of his father's death.