Oleksandr O. Chernov (Pancho)

Sergeant Oleksandr Chernov (call sign Pancho) died on May 8, 2022, at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, Donetsk region, as a result of a bomb strike. He was 32 years old. Oleksandr was born in Vilniansk, Zaporizhzhia region. He graduated from Zaporizhzhia School-Gymnasium No. 101. In civilian life, he worked as a laborer. He was passionate about sports, practicing boxing and judo, and participating in competitions. In 2019, he joined the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine. He served in the special forces unit "Azov". He held the position of instructor (sniper) in the sniper group. With the start of the full-scale invasion, he, along with his comrades-in-arms, defended the city of Mariupol from the Russian invaders. "My husband was a bright and cheerful person. He was a wonderful husband and father," said the fallen defender's wife. Oleksandr is survived by his parents Olena and Oleksandr, his older brother Ihor, his wife Natalia, and two sons: Yehor and Mark. The warrior was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage, Third Degree.