Oleksandr O. Kovalenko (Tiaha)

41-year-old defender Oleksandr Kovalenko (call sign Tyaha) was killed on October 15, 2023 near the village of Khromove in the Donetsk region. During the performance of a combat mission, he came under enemy artillery fire and received fatal injuries. Oleksandr was born in the city of Fastiv, Kyiv region. In 1999, he graduated from school No. 9. After graduating from the railway college, he worked as a locomotive driver in the motor depot in his hometown. In February 2014, he was awarded the state award "Honored Railway Worker" for preventing a railway disaster while working on the railway tracks during the Revolution of Dignity. During the Great War, he obtained a higher education at the Ukrainian State University of Railway Transport. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the man joined the defense of Ukraine, joining the Territorial Defense Forces of the capital. He served in the 208th battalion of the 114th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During his service, he was awarded the medals "Unbreakable Heroes of the Russian-Ukrainian War" and "For the Defense of the Homeland". "He was my father's comrade, a wonderful person with a big heart, a wonderful father, the soul of the company," said Kateryna Bodaratska. "God measured him a short but bright life, worthy of memory... He was active in life, bright and extraordinary. He did not focus on what he had achieved. He ran for deputy, confident that he would bring a lot of benefit there. To live, to create... there were many plans, if not for the damned war. Sasha could not go... The locomotive driver has a deferment, but this is not about Sasha... He could not stand aside. And it is so painful when the well-known truth is proved by blood - the best always leave. Sasho, why is this so? I don't know, maybe they will name a street or an electric train after you, but the essence is not in this. The emptiness will pass, and the memory will remain. You lived not in vain and worthily, your memory will continue your spiritual life in the thoughts of all those who knew and respected Oleksandr Kovalenko," wrote Viktor Harvona. Oleksandr was buried in the Alley of Glory of the International Cemetery in his native Fastiv. At home, his mother, sister and daughter were waiting for the defender.