Petro I. Yusyp (Kovboi)

34-year-old soldier Petro Yusyp (call sign Cowboy) was killed on August 19, 2023, in the area of the settlement of Urozhaine in the Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he received fatal injuries as a result of a mortar attack. Petro was born in the village of Kalna, Ivano-Frankivsk region. He graduated from the Stryi Higher Vocational School No. 16, where he obtained the profession of a producer of artistic wood products and a woodworking machine operator. He was passionate about literature, went on hikes, loved nature, and adored photographing landscapes. He trained on climbing walls, which was his hobby. For some time, he worked in his profession. He made furniture and artistic wood products. Later, he mastered the profession of a facade worker and worked in construction in Kyiv. He was always striving for something new, so he was not standing still, mastering new things, developing, and improving his acquired skills. For some time, he worked at a factory in the Czech Republic, and later became a long-distance driver in Poland. With the start of the full-scale war, on March 4, 2022, he volunteered to defend his homeland. He was enlisted as a driver in the 710th Protection Brigade of the State Special Transport Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. He underwent training and acquired the skills of a driver-gunner, a second-category sniper. In April 2023, he joined the combat unit of the 1st assault platoon, 2nd assault company of the 710th Protection Brigade. "During his service in the assault company, Petro proved himself as a true Hero, a true Ukrainian, who was worthily raised by his family! As soon as we arrived in the Donetsk region, we received an order to storm the enemy position. He confidently carried out all the orders, bravely went into battle, and behaved like a true warrior! Petro was always kind, fair, and hardworking. He was our barber, cutting the hair of the entire company, and the comrades-in-arms gladly went to him, and he never refused anyone. The last time we were with him at the position, I was wounded. Petro tried to contact the command post as quickly as possible to ensure evacuation, although at that time the assault on our positions was ongoing, and it was necessary to have time to repel the invaders! He was a brave and confident hero!" - said the platoon commander with the call sign Beter. "Petro was a wonderful person, a good friend, a wonderful son, and the best brother. We miss him very much, and with him, each of us lost a part of ourselves. He had a good sense of humor and many friends, was caring, kind, sincere, and hardworking. He loved life and had many plans. He was building his own house, where he planned to start a family. However, the war destroyed all his plans and hopes..." - the hero's relatives say. The warrior was buried in his native village. Petro left behind his mother, brothers, and sisters. The defender was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree and the Medal "Knight of the Combat Deed".