Oleksandr O. Sokorenko (Turbo)

Lieutenant Oleksandr Sokorenko (call sign Turbo) was killed on July 30, 2023, while performing his official duties in the Orikhiv area of Zaporizhzhia region as a result of enemy shelling with guided air bombs. The officer was 27 years old. Oleksandr was born and lived in Kyiv. He graduated from the Geographical Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the military department of the Military Institute of Kyiv National University. He received the rank of junior lieutenant in the reserve. In civilian life, he worked as a bartender. He loved to make cocktails and cook, play the guitar, meet with friends, and travel. He was engaged in kayaking. During the full-scale invasion, the ideological nationalist Oleksandr could not remain on the sidelines when the enemy tried to capture Ukraine. The man joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, seeking to protect his home, his family, and his own beliefs. He served in the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade "Magura". Later he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He held the position of an officer in the brigade's operational headquarters. His department was engaged in planning counteroffensive actions. "Sashko was a role model for many of his peers, an example of courage, loyalty, and patriotism. He was always ready to stand up for the interests of the Ukrainian people and our future - from the Revolution, when he was only 17 years old and participated in the student protests from the beginning, to this war. My brother remained faithful to his oath and faithfully served his state, voluntarily went to war. He was involved in the breakthrough of our forces in one of the most difficult areas - the Melitopol direction. The liberation of our territories (in particular, Robotyne) is the merit of both the brigade in which he served and the operational headquarters. I want Sashko to be remembered as a brave and extremely humane guy who could be afraid, but never retreated. Sashko loved Ukraine and his family, so he went to defend us. My brother made me a person and taught me to live in a way that I would not be ashamed later," his sister Anna said. The officer was buried at the Forest Cemetery in his native Kyiv. Oleksandr is survived by his parents, sister, brother, girlfriend, and many other relatives and comrades.