Oleksandr M. Bilous

Olexandr Mykhailovych Bilous was born on October 29, 1971, in the city of Kotovsk, Odesa region. Olexandr Bilous graduated from a higher border guard educational institution in 1997 and began his military career as a border guard officer. Throughout many years of service, Olexandr courageously and impeccably fulfilled his official duties, applying maximum knowledge and skills to the task of protecting the state border of Ukraine. In 2015, the serviceman, as part of the 8th border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, was sent to the ATO zone to reinforce the eastern sections of the border. From March 2 to March 15, 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Olexandr Bilous, as part of the 1st border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, carried out combat missions in the city of Mariupol, specifically in the defense of the Post-Bridge, PJSC MK "Azovstal," and in identifying sabotage and reconnaissance groups. Under constant enemy shelling, the Ukrainian defenders held their positions, selflessly maintaining the defense and repelling enemy assaults. On March 15, 2022, during another battle with the Russian occupier, Lieutenant Colonel Olexandr Bilous was wounded and was undergoing treatment at a temporary medical point located on the territory of PJSC MK "Azovstal." On March 24, 2022, Olexandr Bilous died as a result of his injuries. For personal courage and selfless actions demonstrated in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as loyalty to the military oath, Lieutenant Colonel Bilous Olexandr Mykhailovych was posthumously awarded the Order of "For Courage" of the III degree.