Oleksandr O. Zdebskyi (SS)

Soldier Oleksandr Zdebskyi (call sign SS) was killed on December 13, 2023 near the village of Vilshana in the Kharkiv region. While performing his duties, he sustained fatal injuries as a result of a direct hit of an enemy shell on the dugout. The fighter was 19 years old. Oleksandr was from the Sumy region. He studied at the Banytskyi NVK. He repeatedly defended the honor of the educational institution and the district at sports competitions and tournaments. After the 9th grade, to provide for himself and help his mother, he went to work in Kyiv. Later, he enrolled in the Hlukhiv Higher Vocational School. He planned to continue his studies at the military academy, but changed his plans. After reaching the age of majority, he immediately went to the TsRR and signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Following Oleksandr, his 37-year-old older brother Serhii also went to the army. The young man fought in the ranks of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great. For about a year, he defended the Kupiansk direction. According to his comrades-in-arms, Oleksandr had endurance, the necessary skills and a positive attitude. "Sashko was an incredibly kind person. Cheerful, frank, always came to help. Always smiling, sincere. He had no enemies, he had good relations with everyone," said his childhood friend and neighbor Maria Antypenko. In Banytsi, the death of the young man in the war shocked everyone, many remember him as a fighting and active guy, very sociable and responsible. They say that in the autumn Sashko was on a short vacation after being wounded. When asked how he was doing, he honestly replied that it was difficult. But he wanted to return to his comrades-in-arms as soon as possible, because he could not calmly tolerate this unjust war against Ukrainians. The young warrior was buried in his native village. Oleksandr is survived by his mother, sister, stepfather, brother who was captured by the Russians in March 2023, as well as other relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms.