Oleksandr M. Ostapenko (Marvel)

Soldier Oleksandr Ostapenko (call sign Marvel) was killed in action on June 27, 2022, while performing a combat mission in the area of the village of Dementiivka in Kharkiv region. When he helped evacuate wounded comrades, he received a fatal injury. On July 12, the defender would have turned 44 years old. Oleksandr Ostapenko was born in the city of Myrnohrad, Donetsk region. He received higher education at Donetsk State University of Management, specializing in "Intellectual Property". He lived in Kyiv. He worked in the construction industry. He freely communicated in English, read a lot and was well-versed in many areas. He was interested in history, Scandinavian mythology, the culture of East Asian countries: Japan, Korea, and China, searched for and prepared Eastern dishes, loved to hold tea ceremonies. He was engaged in Eastern martial arts, in 2015 he took 2nd place in international competitions in Wing Chun. He was a creative person with a subtle sense of beauty - he drew wonderfully, understood cinema and music. In the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion, on February 26, 2022, the man took up arms and stood up to defend the capital from the occupiers. He acquired the skills of a sapper, participated in the demining of Irpin and Bucha, and then signed a contract and joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 130th battalion of the 241st separate brigade of territorial defense. After the liberation of Kyiv region, he went with his comrades to defend Kharkiv region, for which he was awarded the medal "For the Defense of the Hero City of Ukraine Kharkiv". "He was a very kind and sensitive person. Extremely insightful. He was well-versed in technical issues, but had a talent for drawing, drew well, I even put an album with pencils in the coffin. He loved to read, especially futuristic and historical literature - his father instilled this love in him. He took part in the pro-Ukrainian march in Donetsk, and when the city was occupied, he came to Kyiv and became a participant in the Revolution of Dignity. He was also a wonderful family man, a good, caring husband," said the wife of the fallen soldier Tetyana. Oleksandr was buried at Berkovetske cemetery in Kyiv. He left behind his mother, wife, and brother. Posthumously, the warrior was awarded the Order "For Courage" III degree.