Oleksandr P. Shuprudko (Zalizniak)

Sniper Oleksandr Shuprudko (call sign Zaliznyak) died in the hospital on September 27, 2022, never waking from a coma after a severe injury. The day before, while carrying out a combat mission in the area of the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk region, he came under enemy fire. The hero was only 32 years old. Oleksandr was born and lived in the city of Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region. He stu at the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, where he obtained a degree in foreign economic activity management. In peaceful life, he worked in construction both in Ukraine and abroad. He loved sports and played football. In 2015, he volunteered to go to war. He was a sniper in the separate tactical group "Brakon'ery" of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army. After February 24, 2022, he shared his knowledge and skills with the sniper unit of the 132nd Bila Tserkva Battalion of the 114th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. "Zaliznyak was a true patriot, a kind and caring person, a good son, friend, and brother-in-arms. He loved and respected his parents, relatives, and friends. He always found time to visit everyone when he came home on leave, never forgetting anyone, giving attention to all, and finding at least a minute for communication," his friend Oksana Bondarenko said. "An active participant in the Revolution of Dignity, Zaliznyak took up arms at the age of 25 to defend our land. Year after year, he honed his skills as a sniper. He like a true warrior — on the battlefield, receiving a wound incompatible with life. He was a very sincere and open brother-in-arms. He never stayed aloof, always ready to help. A bit unnoticeable and quiet, probably how a sniper should be, yet so bright and incredibly relatable. It seemed he did not know fear, and he was capable of any task. It is hard for us to write about Sashko in the past tense. It is hard because it is still hard to believe that he is no longer here with us," wrote his comrades from the "Brakon'ery" unit. The warrior was buried at the Alley of Glory in the "Sukhyi Yar" cemetery in Bila Tserkva. He is survived by his parents, relatives, and many friends and comrades. Posthumously, Oleksandr Shuprudko was awarded the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's "Golden Cross."