Oleksandr V. Pokydchenko (Babai, Babaichyk)

37-year-old Oleksandr Pokydchenko (call sign Babai) was killed on February 24, 2023 in a hospital in Dnipro. On February 11, while carrying out a combat mission and covering his comrades in the area of Paraskivka village in Donetsk region, he sustained severe injuries. Doctors fought for his life until the end. Oleksandr was born and lived in Kyiv. He studied at school No. 215. He graduated from the Aviant Higher Vocational and Technical College of Communications and the Faculty of Electrical Power Engineering at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, specializing in Electrical Networks and Systems. He worked at the Antonov plant. He practiced boxing and loved cycling. In 2015-2016, he fought in the ATO in Donbas as part of the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a reconnaissance machine gunner. After demobilization, he received the medal "Honor. Glory. State." From the first day of the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr returned to the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Initially, as part of the 101st Separate Brigade of the General Staff Protection named after Colonel-General Hennady Vorobyov, he participated in the defense of the Kyiv region. Then he was transferred to his native 30th Brigade. Together with his comrades, he fought in Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. He was wounded, but quickly returned to the front line. "He was the husband of my sister. Sasha was an angel, I rarely met such people. His call sign was Babai, Babaiчик... But his eyes were a whole universe of kindness and care. He gave the last to others. He was never in a bad mood, he always smiled. We miss him very much. We still don't believe that Sashko won't call or open the door and come home," said the deceased's sister-in-law Anna. The warrior was buried at the Forest Cemetery in his native Kyiv. At home, Oleksandr was awaited by his wife, stepson, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, relatives and friends.