Oleksandr M. Sydorchuk (Sydor)

32-year-old soldier Oleksandr Sydorchuk (call sign Sydor) was killed on February 7, 2023 near the village of Ivanivske in the Donetsk region. A day before, he had left with his comrades-in-arms for a position, and they were supposed to return after a day, but contact with them was lost. Since then, the soldier was considered missing. Only at the end of the year did the DNA results confirm the death of the defender. Oleksandr was born in the village of Kamiane-Sluchanske, Rivne region. In 2006, he graduated from the rural secondary school of grades I-II. Then he entered the Sarny Higher Vocational School No. 22, where he obtained the qualifications of a tractor driver, bulldozer operator, and single-bucket excavator operator. He served in the military. He worked as a driver at the Selishchanske granite quarry for almost the entire time. His last job was at the Vyrivskyi granite quarry, where he was an excavator operator. He was interested in the history of Ukraine, loved to read books and watch movies. He mostly spent his free time with his family. On June 19, 2022, Oleksandr was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He underwent training. From August, he served in the 80th separate air assault brigade. He held the position of driver-excavator operator of the engineering and position section of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery platoon of the logistics battalion security company. He took part in combat operations in the Kharkiv and Donetsk directions. "Sasha was the best dad and a loving husband. Always friendly, cheerful. The beloved loved justice, never refused to help. According to the commander and comrades-in-arms, Sasha was a responsible and courageous warrior. Despite difficult situations, he always smiled and joked. He repeatedly lent a helping hand to his comrades-in-arms and never complained about the difficulties. He is not just my husband, he is a worthy son of Ukraine. He knew what conscience, honor, and principle were. I know that Sasha very much wanted to live, had many plans and dreams. The beloved wanted his children to grow up in a free country under a peaceful sky, and gave the most valuable thing for this - his life. He was the best son, a good brother, a loving father for such little children, a beloved husband, a faithful friend, a reliable comrade-in-arms. Forever in our hearts. We, with the children, are very proud of our hero. He is our support, who protects us from the sky. We love him very much and miss him deeply," wrote Yulia Sydorchuk. The paratrooper was buried on January 26, 2024 in the village of Selyshche, Rivne region, where he lived with his family. At home, Oleksandr was awaited by his parents, sisters, wife and two children. The warrior was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.