Oleksandr V. Maslov (Maska)

Sergeant Oleksandr Maslov (call sign Mask) was killed on March 5, 2023, in battle with the occupiers near the settlement of Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region. He would have turned 35 on May 15. Oleksandr was born in the city of Rodynske, Donetsk region. From childhood, he lived in Pershotravensk, Dnipropetrovsk region. He graduated from school No. 1 and Pershotravensk Vocational School No. 40, where he obtained the profession of underground electrician. He worked at the Stashkov mine. He was married and raised children. Since 2018, he has been serving under contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a fighter of the 46th Separate Assault Battalion "Donbas" of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade. He underwent sniper courses, was a machine gunner and BMP-2 gunner. He participated in the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr continued to defend Ukraine from Russian occupiers along with his comrades-in-arms. He dreamed of liberating his native lands and living in a peaceful country. "We lived together for 15 years, 10 months and 4 days. Everything he did, he did for the family, for his children and their future. He loved life, we made plans. He adored and was proud of his children: Mykhailo, Viktor and Roman. When the youngest was born, he began to look at life in a different way. People were always drawn to him. He was a very good person. A beloved husband and wonderful father. He was an incredible, dedicated man and the best comrade. His comrades-in-arms said he was an extraordinary person, faithful to his principles, with whom it was never scary to go on a mission. He was a talisman for everyone - family, friends and comrades-in-arms. It is very difficult to meet such a kind and bright person in our time. Wherever he was, there was always a holiday, his smile could melt any ice," said the deceased's wife, Nadiia. "He was a devoted family man and a convinced patriot of our Motherland. Oleksandr gave his life so that his children could live in an independent, free Ukraine, for the peace and tranquility of each of us. From now on, our defender is forever in the ranks," said the Pershotravensk City Council. The warrior was buried in the Alley of Glory in the city of Pershotravensk, Dnipropetrovsk region. Oleksandr is survived by his mother, brother, sister, wife and three sons. At the time of his death, the youngest son was not even a year old.