Oleksandr S. Riabets (Riaba)

37-year-old intelligence officer Oleksandr Riabets (call sign Ryaba) was killed on November 14, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission near the village of Verbove in the Zaporizhia region. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he went to evacuate fallen comrades and sustained a fatal shrapnel wound to the head. The fragment hit the one spot not protected by the helmet. Oleksandr was born and lived in Zaporizhia. He attended school No. 100. He then graduated from a local vocational school. He worked as a construction worker and did repair work. He dedicated his free time to his family and friends. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the man himself went to the military enlistment office and received a summons. On April 2, he was already in training at a military unit. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Zaporizhia region. He initially served in the infantry. His last place of service was the 132nd separate reconnaissance battalion of the Airborne Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where Oleksandr held the position of driver-radio operator. "He was the best dad and husband. Kind, sensitive, always helped his many friends. He was always joking, the life of the party. He loved life..." - said the wife of the fallen Viktoria. The defender was buried in the St. Nicholas cemetery in his native Zaporizhia. At home, Oleksandr was awaited by his wife, son and daughter.