Oleksandr V. Kostenko (Mars)

33-year-old soldier Oleksandr Kostenko (call sign Mars) was killed on February 2, 2023 in the Kherson region. After the shelling, he went to rescue civilians. When he provided first aid, he returned to the car. At that moment, an enemy shell hit him. Oleksandr was born and lived in Odesa. He graduated from the O. Marinesco Maritime College and the Odesa National Academy of Food Technologies. He owned his own store for the sale and repair of equipment. He was interested in weapons and collected coins. He adored cars and loved to repair them. On February 24, 2022, the man volunteered for the war. He became a fighter of the 126th separate brigade of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He took the position of a medical evacuation driver and went to the front line. The man helped evacuate the wounded and at the same time took care of civilians. "He was an incredibly kind and honest person. He knew how to give his love and was always a reliable shoulder to lean on. To say that I have never met such people on my path is an understatement. Oleksandr was a courageous and fearless person. A true patriot of his homeland," said the wife of the deceased. The hero was buried at the Western Cemetery in his native Odesa. Oleksandr is survived by his mother Viktoria and his wife Yulia.