Oleksandr M. Ovchynnikov (Pikcher)

Senior soldier Oleksandr Ovchynnikov (call sign Pikcher) was killed on May 16, 2022, in a battle with the occupiers near the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk region. He was 25 years old. Oleksandr was born and lived in the city of Poltava. He graduated from the Poltava Vocational Cooperative College. He was active, engaged in powerlifting and boxing. In 2015, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operation in Donbas. He was interested in weapons and knives. He loved fishing very much, as it was a true relaxation for him. During the full-scale war, Pikcher defended Ukraine as part of the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky. He was a squad leader and commander of the combat vehicle of the observation platoon of the reconnaissance company. Throughout his service, he received many awards. In April 2022, Oleksandr was awarded the Order of Courage III degree. Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III degree. "Sasha was a wonderful husband to me, a wonderful father to his son, and a wonderful son to his mother. A true, strong, and daring man. Always smiling. Forever alive. Always in our memories," said the widow of the fallen, Yuliya. The soldier was buried at the Zaturynske cemetery in his hometown of Poltava. At home, Oleksandr was awaited by his mother, wife, and young son.