Oleksandr O. Kozyr (Student)

Soldier Oleksandr Kozyr (call sign Student) was killed on September 7, 2023, in battle for the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast. He turned 21 on August 27. Oleksandr was born in the city of Nizhyn, Chernihiv Oblast. In 2017-2019, he studied at the Nizhyn Regional Pedagogical Lyceum. In 2023, he graduated from the Kyiv National Linguistic University with a degree in "Turkish Language and Literature and Translation". He practiced pankration. He played the guitar. He loved to read books. He adored animals, especially cats. During the war in Bakhmut, he rescued a black kitten and named it Vasyl. He cooked delicious meals for his family. His favorite cuisine was Georgian. He loved to travel. When asked "How are you?", he would always reply "Better than anyone". During the full-scale war, the young man defended his Homeland in the ranks of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the position of grenade launcher assistant. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he courageously carried out combat missions and bravely went into battle. For his achievements, he was awarded the honorary badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Golden Cross". "Brave, courageous, strong-willed and heroic, he had a steel character, a thirst for justice, and at the same time was kind, shy, empathetic and loving. He had grandiose plans for the future, but was killed with faith in victory. A patriot of his country!" - said the godmother of the fallen Iryna Venzhega. The young warrior was buried at the Bortnychi Cemetery in Kyiv. Oleksandr is survived by his parents, grandmother, great-grandmother, godparents, uncles, cousin, and other relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms.