Roman V. Balaba (Ramzes)

Senior Sergeant Roman Balaba (call sign Ramses) was killed in action with the occupiers near the village of Dolgenke in the Kharkiv region on April 14, 2022. The fighter received fatal injuries while holding back the enemy, covering the retreat of his comrades. He forever remained 29 years old. Roman was born in Vinnytsia. He stu at Vinnytsia Lyceum No. 33. In 2011, he received the profession of auto mechanic at Vinnytsia Higher Professional School of Services No. 19. He completed his mandatory military service. He chose the path of a military man. From 2013 to 2020, he served under contract in the A0549 unit of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2015, he underwent training under the command leadership program and received the rank of sergeant. He carried out combat missions in the area of the ATO/OOS, for which he was awarded a distinction and a badge from the President of Ukraine. In September 2021, Roman joined the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade. He was the commander of the reconnaissance platoon of the reconnaissance company. Together with his comrades, he took part in combat operations in Donbas. During the full-scale invasion, Ramses continued to carry out reconnaissance missions on various hot frontline areas. "Roman was the best brother and the best son," said the sister of the deceased. Roman was buried in the village of Zarvantsi in Vinnytsia Oblast. At home, he was awaited by his mother Maria Illivna and sister Vita. In honor of her son, his mother got a tattoo on her hand with his name and an electrocardiogram, ending with a straight line. Posthumously, Senior Sergeant Roman Balaba was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class. In Vinnytsia, a street and two alleys were renamed in honor of the fallen defender of Ukraine. Two memorial plaques were also installed in Vinnytsia in his honor: one on the facade of Lyceum No. 33, where Roman stu, and the other on the facade of the house where he lived.