Oleksandr V. Kuziak

Sergeant Oleksandr Kuziak was killed on May 31, 2022, while performing a combat task near the village of Berestove in Donetsk Oblast. During the battle, an enemy shell hit the trench where Ukrainian defenders were located. Everyone who was there was killed. Oleksandr was born in the village ofPidlisnyi Mukariv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast. He studied at the Khmelnytskyi Vocational School as an electric gas welder. He worked in his specialty at industrial enterprises in Ukraine and abroad. He was interested in history, loved cooking. He lived with his family in the city of Dunaivtsi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast. When the full-scale war began, the man was abroad. He returned in March and immediately went to the military commissariat. He became a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Roman. "He was not just a father, but the best friend, advisor, our support and support. When I think of him, my heart tightens with love and gratitude for being my father. He was very kind, cheerful, always ready to help and support. 'Everything will be fine' - these are the words he always repeated, so I believe that it will be so and it's not in vain. Ukraine will definitely win. And dad now protects and guards us from heaven", - said the deceased's daughter Alina. "He performed his civic and military duties with honor and dignity until the end, defending the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Ukraine. There are no words to express all the pain and horror that each of us feels now. In this tragic moment, we sincerely share the grief with the family of the hero. The entire community bows its head in deep sorrow. Eternal memory and glory to the warrior of Ukraine! Thank you for fighting for us, our region, our freedom and independence! We are eternally grateful to you!" - stated in Novodunaivtsi community. The defender was buried in his native village. At home, Oleksandr was waited for by his mother, two daughters, and grandson.