Oleksandr S. Marchuk (Marchyk)

Senior soldier Oleksandr Marchuk (call sign Marchyk) was killed on August 25, 2023 in a battle with Russian saboteurs between the villages of Khodyne and Myshutyne in Sumy region. The defenders repelled the attack, but came under enemy mortar fire. In a month, on September 27, Oleksandr would have turned 33 years old. The soldier was born in the city of Varash, Rivne region. He obtained the profession of a computer technician at the Rivne Vocational School No. 1. He worked in various fields. In 2015-2016, he participated in the ATO as part of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa. In 2018, he served under a contract in the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great, holding the position of a grenade launcher assistant. Having combat experience, Oleksandr stood up to defend Ukraine during the full-scale war. On February 27, 2022, he was drafted into the 104th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces as a machine gunner. As part of his unit, he participated in the battles for Bakhmut. Later, he was transferred to the 101st Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces, where he held the position of a rifleman and a grenade launcher assistant in the rifle company. "One of the brother's biggest desires was to get married and start a family, but the war took his life. He was always cheerful, despite all the difficulties in his life. He was an incredible person. We really wanted to see him, but we didn't have time... Our meeting became a farewell... We miss him very much," said the deceased's cousin Viktoria Saichyshyna. The hero was buried in the village of Romeyky in the Rivne region. Oleksandr is survived by his sister, loving relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms.