Roman S. Ivanov

Soldier Roman Ivanov was killed in action on May 15, 2022 near the settlement of Drobyshe in the Donetsk region. During the clash with the enemy, who had surrounded the Ukrainian defenders, he bravely engaged in the fight. He covered his comrades, but was killed by a bullet from a Russian sniper. He would have turned 28 years old on June 9. Roman was born in the village of Novyi Starodub, Kirovohrad region. He graduated from the Oleksandriia Agrarian Professional College. He worked as an inspector at the Petrivska Correctional Colony No. 49. He was passionate about football. In 2019, he signed a contract for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a warrior of the 79th Separate Airmobile Brigade, serving as a machine gunner. He carried out combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation. From the first days of the invasion, he continued to defend Ukraine from the occupiers along with his comrades. "The best man, son, brother and father. He was devoted, faithful to Ukraine, the people and his comrades. He truly deserves the title of Hero of Ukraine," said the wife of the fallen Viktoria. "As of February 24, 2022, Roma had already been in the JFO zone for 10 months and never got to see the rotation. My brother was a very sincere, kind and sensitive person. That's why he didn't leave his position. He stayed to cover the retreat of his comrades. 7 guys from Roma's platoon survived and were taken prisoner. Three of them have already been returned home, and they thank us for the fact that Roma covered them." On December 31, 2022, searcher Oleksiy Yukov found Roma's remains next to a pile of spent machine gun cartridges, concluding that he had fought to the last breath. "He, who at the cost of his own life protected others, deserves the title of Hero of Ukraine. Roma loved his wife Viktoria and son Kyrylo very much, he very much wanted to live and be with them. But the cruel fate disposed of it differently," said Iryna Bublik. "This was a strong, brave and courageous fighter who fought to the last breath for the freedom, peace and free future of every Ukrainian, each of us. This was a young, intelligent, cheerful, sociable, kind, sensitive, strong-willed, full of plans and dreams young man, a loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle, comrade..." added the Petrivska community. Almost a year after the search, the paratrooper was buried in his native village. Roman is survived by his mother, wife, son, sister and younger brother. His middle brother, National Guard member Mykhailo, was killed in action on July 8, 2022.