Oleksandr M. Postolnyi (Honchyi)

40-year-old border guard Oleksandr Postolnyi was killed on June 5, 2022. While carrying out a combat mission as part of a reconnaissance group near the village of Shchurіvka in the Kharkiv region, he encountered an enemy minefield, suffered an explosive injury and severe wounds. In serious condition, he was taken to the hospital in Pervomaisky. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, the warrior's life could not be saved. Oleksandr was born in the village of Kovali in the Kharkiv region. In 2000, he graduated from the Odnorobivske Vocational and Technical School No. 55, where he obtained the qualification of tractor-machine operator and repair mechanic. He served his conscript military service. For the last 14 years, he lived with his wife and children in the village of Petrivka, Kharkiv region. He was fond of hunting. Among his close ones, he had the call sign "Hunchback" because he did not refuse to go on a hike in any weather. Oleksandr served in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine for over 20 years. On February 11, 2003, he signed his first contract. He held the position of a border guard service inspector of the II category - an instructor of the canine department of the Zolochiv border guard detachment of the Kharkiv border guard unit. That same year, he completed training at the 15th training unit, receiving the qualification of a search dog instructor. Over the years of service, he repeatedly took first places in competitions to determine the best dog handler with a service dog among the border guard bodies of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the SBGS. On February 11, 2017, he signed another contract. He held the rank of senior warrant officer and the position of a border guard service inspector of the I category - an instructor of the canine department of the III category border guard service "Tymofіivka" (type B) of the Kharkiv border guard unit. On February 11, 2022, the man signed a contract with the 4th border guard unit. The last rank was master sergeant. With the start of the full-scale war, Oleksandr continued to perform his duties to protect the Motherland. Over the years of service, he received many awards for a significant contribution to ensuring the inviolability of the state border of Ukraine, high professionalism and exemplary service. In particular, he was awarded the badge "Excellent Border Guard" of the II degree (2008), the medal "15 Years of Conscientious Service" (2020) and the Order of Courage of the III degree (posthumously). "He was and is the best dad. Positive, caring, fair. Dad was the soul of the company, loved not only his own children, but others as well. While playing, he taught to be a person. Emotions were always the priority, so unforgettable and bright. All our life, dad was in uniform and with a smile. Dad had respect from all sides, he always helped people," his children Igor and Anastasia said. "I am grateful to fate for the best husband on earth. 16 years together. Shoulder to shoulder, as one. My support, my support. My universe... From now on, this is my cross. We was killed together. I hate this life without you. Thank you for every minute spent together. Thank you for the love. I felt what it is: to truly love and be loved. Thank you for our best children. Sensitive, gentle, loving husband and father. Sincere and kind, positive and reliable friend, the soul of the company. You are infinitely missed. An example of courage, justice and endurance. I loved, I love, I will love forever... Until we meet in the afterlife... The most precious of the priceless..." his wife Nelya Postolna wrote. "I can turn everything upside down, rebuild everything, but I can't bring back the person, the comrade, the brother-in-arms who was killed while carrying out the assigned combat missions. Border guards become such when they gain experience in this specific business. Oleksandr was a true ace - he detected and detained violators of the state border. Diligence, openness and perseverance were his companions in service. And the main thing is humanity towards his brothers-in-arms. He was always the first. During the full-scale aggression, he was the first to volunteer to carry out combat missions with great danger to himself! An honest, open and decent person who did not spare his life so that all Ukrainians could live in safety," his comrade Valentyn said. The hero is buried in the village of Petrivka in the Kharkiv region. He is survived by his mother, wife, son, daughter, brother with his family, brothers-in-arms and friends.