Oleksii S. Vavushka (Dzhaz)

Soldier Oleksiy Vavushka (call sign Jazz) was killed on December 20, 2023 in battle near the settlement of New York in Donetsk region. The hero was 29 years old. Oleksiy was born in the city of Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region. He graduated from the Kharkiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture and obtained a master's degree. In civilian life, he was a very talented and highly qualified architect, working in leading architectural firms in Ukraine: the architectural bureau of Oleg Drozdov, the architectural bureau of Serhiy Ilchenko, AER bureau, 2STORM agency. He was involved in the design of such objects as the park and ice rink near "Roshen" in Demiivka (Kyiv), "ZhK 31 Dragomanova" (Kyiv), the equestrian club "VG Horse Club" (Kharkiv), etc. Colleagues note his significant contribution to the architectural heritage of Ukraine, social responsibility, as well as high professional skills and talent. Oleksiy was also a winner and prize-winner of Ukrainian and foreign architectural competitions. "A person who will forever remain a part of our team. Oleksiy joined the bureau team in 2016 and worked on many projects, including the reconstruction of the Kharkiv Literary Museum, the implementation of the equestrian sports club "VG Horse Club" in Kharkiv, as well as the project of the exhibition space "Biruchiy" in the Kherson region. We are proud of Liosha's courage and remember him as a talented architect who has forever left a mark on Ukrainian architecture and the history of our state. May his memory be eternal," the official page of the architectural bureau "Drozdov and Partners" said. "Oleksiy Vavushka... I once worked in Nova Kakhovka with his aunt, then I met his signature on applications for the issuance of materials on Nova Kakhovka in the Kharkiv archive, then we got acquainted and communicated a lot when he took the topic for his diploma "Revitalization of the 8th quarter of Nova Kakhovka". We discussed the topic, the goal, the approach, his project sketches are preserved. We met in Kyiv when he worked there. Only recently did I think that I need to take his diploma work from the institute for the future museum of the city, quite recently, maybe at the very moment when he was gone... I am proud to have known him," wrote Tetyana Yevseeva, a member of the Commission on Accounting of Cultural Heritage Objects of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine. Oleksiy planned to focus on the reconstruction and preservation of the historical appearance of the city of Nova Kakhovka after the victory and deoccupation of his hometown. In late summer 2022, the man left his professional activities and voluntarily joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 101st separate brigade of the General Staff protection. He was engaged in aerial reconnaissance. During his service, he was awarded the distinctions "For the Defense of Ukraine", "Steel Cross", "War Veteran". "When Liosha was just being mobilized and choosing a brigade and a position, his main condition was to work directly on the front line, to be as useful as possible. He didn't even consider rear, staff positions. He was not only brave and devoted to his state, but also fantastically talented in many things (he drew well, wrote prose and played the guitar). He was an extraordinarily kind person, a moral compass, a true example of courage and high patriotic qualities. Liosha was a faithful friend, teacher, support, a confident shoulder for many, a bright laughter and wonderful humor. We are connected by a 12-year history, a real small separate life with ups and downs. And it seemed that everything was still ahead. But, as it turned out, Liosha had everything except time. He is a true kindred spirit for me, my friend and my greatest love," his beloved Kateryna Senko said. For over 2 months I can't normally collect my thoughts and realize that you are no longer with us. Whenever I want to address you, I immediately fall into some darkness from which there is no way out. Who knew that then, at the pedestrian crossing in one of the first days in the big city, we would meet, and you would become a close friend. Such a friend as one can only dream of: the one who will always support you, the one with whom you can talk about anything, the one with whom you will have many common interests and ideas. Like "Dude, we have to record a podcast" or "Bro, we have to make our own rock band", "We'll write our own hits". With whom you can crash into that same bar and hang out there until the last. Although we had the opportunity to communicate for hours, experienced a lot of stories, you still remained a mystery to me with a lot of questions that I will no longer get answers to, but I know one thing - you are the most talented and bravest of all I have met. However, as the old legends say, the best go first. I'm no longer as young as I was then, and you're no longer with us. Rest in peace, my friend, this world will be bad without you. Liosha was killed on December 20, 2023, being a warrior he should not have been, in a war that should not be. He didn't have time to do a lot, as he didn't have time to say a lot. But, rereading our last conversations, I think he would want you to live and not lose each other, because, being at the front, he acutely felt these things. Eternal glory to the friend, son, hero!" shared the memories of the warrior's friend Vlad Velytskyi. Oleksiy was buried on the Alley of Heroes of the Lukyanivske Cemetery in Kyiv. The defender left behind his parents, friends, beloved and his beloved dog Rem.