Oleksii Yu. Kolesnyk

Soldier Oleksiy Kolesnyk (call sign Stalker Volya) died on April 6, 2024, while carrying out a combat mission in the Kharkiv region as a result of a Russian missile strike. He will forever remain 36 years old. Oleksiy was born in the city of Bolhrad, Odesa region. He studied at the local school-lyceum No. 4. Later, he enrolled in the Izmail Professional College. In peacetime, he worked as a road worker. He was a specialist in the construction, repair, and maintenance of roads and local streets. He adored animals, especially dogs: wherever he was, he always had a four-legged friend by his side. He dreamed of his own sports car and had big plans for the future. From the first days of the full-scale war, Oleksiy was at the front. He defended the independence of Ukraine in the ranks of the 40th Separate Artillery Brigade named after Grand Duke Vytautas. The defender was awarded the distinction "For Exemplary Service". "They remember him as a decent person, a true patriot, a good friend. He was a positive, kind guy who would help in a difficult moment and always support and listen. Oleksiy was not just a friend to us, but a person with a capital letter, a person with a big and kind heart. Brave, not indifferent to the grief of others, and simply the soul of the company. We will miss him very much. We are glad that he was in our lives. Now he will forever remain in our hearts and memory as a true hero who gave his life for a free and independent Ukraine," wrote childhood friends Hanna Terzi and Alina Slobodyanyuk. Oleksiy was buried in the village of Serhiivka, Odesa region. His loved ones and friends were waiting for the defender at home.