Oleksii P. Pozhyra (Podzhero)

Senior Sergeant Oleksiy Pozhyra was killed on March 23, 2022, during a firefight with the enemy in Mariupol. The warrior was 29 years old. Oleksiy was born in Mariupol, Donetsk region. By education, he was a lawyer. He obtained a bachelor's degree from the Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs. In 2011-2012, he served his compulsory military service. After that, he connected his life with work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Until 2019, he worked in the National Police of Ukraine. Later, he joined the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine. He participated in the ATO in the Donetsk region. In 2021, Oleksiy married his beloved Darya. The young family was making plans for the future: they dreamed of children and travels. In February 2022, Darya gave birth to a son, Platon, whom the father saw only three times. Oleksiy wanted to become an instructor and teach the younger generation military affairs, he took training and advanced training courses. He received the desired position a month before the start of the invasion. At the front, he served as part of the 12th Operational Purpose Brigade named after Dmytro Vyshnevetskyi of the NGU. He was awarded the status of a participant in hostilities and a war veteran. He was awarded certificates and diplomas from the NGU leadership. "My brother was a great patriot of his country - brave, courageous, courageous. An example of love for life, determination, a person who will always come to help, support, listen and charge with his optimism. A person who achieves his goal. He honorably fulfilled the duty to protect his state and remained faithful to the oath, the Ukrainian people and Ukraine until his last breath," said his sister Svitlana. Oleksiy was buried at the Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv. He left behind his wife Darya, son Platon, parents Pavlo and Larysa, and sister Svitlana. The hero was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.