Roman I. Krutko (Traktoryst)

Born on September 12, 1976, in the city of Kremenchuk, Poltava region. Graduated from general education school No. 7 in Kremenchuk, then from vocational technical school No. 6 in Kremenchuk, specializing as a "gas-electric welder." Served mandatory military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 1995, moved permanently to the village of Vovchik, Lubny district, Poltava region. Worked as a manager at the Limited Liability Company "Khlobodаr" (village of Vovchik). Graduated from Poltava State Agrarian Academy (city of Poltava). Later learned blacksmithing and opened a forge, also engaged in farming. On August 15, 2014, mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Served as a senior shooter in the reconnaissance company of the 17th separate guards tank brigade of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (military unit A3283, city of Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region). Since August 2014, participated in the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine. Call sign "Tractor Driver." On October 22, 2014, the reconnaissance group of the 17th separate tank brigade, in a UAZ vehicle driven by soldier Krutko, was conducting reconnaissance from the city of Mariupol, Donetsk region, towards the village of Pyshchevyk in the Novoazovsk (now Volnovakha) district of Donetsk region. Around 1:00 PM, while approaching the bridge over the Kalmius River, the scouts fell into an ambush by Russian-terrorist forces. Soldier Krutko quickly oriented himself and managed to steer his vehicle into a ditch so that the fighters could safely exit and take advantageous defensive positions. Unfortunately, at the moment when soldier Krutko had already jumped out of the vehicle, a grenade exploded near his feet, and when he fell, he was also hit by a sniper's bullet. From the injuries sustained, the serviceman died on the spot. According to the National Security and Defense Council, thanks to the brave actions of the scouts, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were able to detect a large concentration of Russian-terrorist forces near the village of Pyshchevyk in the Donetsk region and prevent them from crossing the Kalmius River. On October 25, 2014, he was buried in the cemetery of the village of Vovchik, Lubny district, Poltava region.