Oleksandr O. Arzhanov (Natsyk)

Soldier Oleksandr Arzhanov (call sign Natsyk) was killed on January 22, 2023, during a hostile assault in the area of the village of Paraskoviivka in the Donetsk region. The defender sustained fatal shrapnel wounds during the enemy shelling. He would have turned 22 years old on February 6. Oleksandr was born in the village of Oleksandrivka, Poltava region. He graduated from the local school there. He then enrolled in the Pryluky Vocational Lyceum and obtained the qualification of a mechanic-fitter. In 2020-2021, he served in the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine. Before the war, he worked at a branch of "Nova Poshta". With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the young man volunteered to defend his native country. He served in the 147th battalion of the 116th separate brigade of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the position of a rifleman. "Oleksandr was a very positive person, fair, honest, loved his family and friends. My brother was a true patriot," said his younger sister Natalia. The warrior was buried in his native village of Oleksandrivka. Oleksandr is survived by his parents and sister. Posthumously, the military was awarded a commendation for the conscientious performance of official duties and the Order of "Honorary Citizen of the Pyriatyn Territorial Community". In December 2023, soldier Oleksandr Arzhanov was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree (posthumously).