Oleksandr I. Karas (Kabas)

Sailor Oleksandr Karas (call sign Kabas) was killed on March 13, 2023 in the settlement of Pakino (Russia). He was tortured to death in captivity. The defender was forever 29 years old. Oleksandr was born in the city of Prymorsk, Zaporizhia region. He graduated from the Berdyansk Mechanical Engineering Lyceum. His specialty was a mechanic. He served his compulsory military service in Donetsk. In 2014, he volunteered to participate in the ATO. "In 2015, Sashko resigned, but not for long, because he couldn't find himself among civilians. The following year, he signed a contract again, because this was his life. He lived with his comrades-in-arms," said his fiancée Khrystyna Matiazh. Since 2019, Oleksandr served in the 36th Separate Marine Brigade. He was a BTR driver. During the full-scale invasion, he defended Mariupol. "There are only good memories about him! A loving father, a wonderful friend. He was always positive, cheerful, and honest. A man of his word. I miss him so much! My heart is just torn with pain! When he came home on weekends or on vacation, there was no limit to the joy... Our Sashko has arrived! The last time I saw him off to service was on December 2, 2021. And then there was only video communication," the fiancée added. In April 2022, during the breakthrough from the Ilyich plant, Oleksandr and his comrades-in-arms were taken prisoner. "The last message from him was on April 11: 'I'm alive, there will be communication - I'll call.' And that's it. And then there were constant calls and searches through the channels of prisoners. I knew he was alive, I waited. I thought I would meet him with flowers. I met him... Not with flowers of joy and life, but with a black ribbon. Sashko was tortured. He was killed in captivity on March 13, 2023. And that's it. It's not him in the coffin, but me. Sashko left behind a little daughter Elizaveta, who will never hug her daddy again, but he will protect his 'Zizya' from the heavens. About the daughter, how much he wanted to see her, hug her, how she was growing up, about her first words, Sashko told his cellmate Wilhelm. After the exchange, he told us that Sashko did not withstand the terrible tortures. He is forever a Hero for us! A Ukrainian, a courageous warrior. Forever faithful! Forever in the ranks!" Khrystyna noted. Sailor Oleksandr Karas was awarded the medal "For Impeccable Service". At home, a daughter, parents, and a fiancée were waiting for the defender. Oleksandr was buried on May 10, 2024 in the military cemetery in the settlement of Kushuhum, Zaporizhia region.