Ruslan D. Marusyk (Borzyi)

Serviceman Ruslan Marusyk (call sign Borzyi) was killed on January 8, 2023, while performing a combat mission in the village of Ambarne, Kharkiv region. The defender was 33 years old forever. Ruslan Marusyk was born in the village of Kadubivtsi, Chernivtsi region. After graduating from the local school, he entered the Chernivtsi Polytechnic Professional College, majoring in "Construction and operation of buildings and structures". He received a diploma. From the end of 2011 to December 2013, he lived and worked with his parents in Spain. With the beginning of the Revolution of Dignity, he returned to Ukraine, took an active part in the collection and transfer of assistance to the Maidan activists. In the fall of 2016, he planted his own orchard with fruit trees, as he loved this business. He dreamed of his own craft and eco-friendly apple production. His last job was at the utility company "Kadub-service". After the start of the full-scale invasion, he voluntarily enlisted in the territorial defense. On March 27, 2022, he took the oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people, served in the 107th separate brigade of the territorial defense. Since September 2022, he has been in the Kharkiv region, where he participated in the expulsion of the occupiers from Ukrainian land. After that, he stood right on the border with the enemy, under daily shelling. "Since childhood, Ruslan has constantly been planting, growing something, because he loved nature and all living things. He planted so many trees and bushes that you can't even count them now. He was building his own house to live there with his beloved wife, daughter and son. He found solace when working with wood, metal. He made many things with his own hands: from a stool to agricultural transport to cultivate his own garden. He loved animals, took care not only of his own, but also of stray dogs, cats and even a roe deer that he found newborn in the field near his garden... Our Ruslan is a sincere, kind, fair, courageous Ukrainian. He often said: "If you want to change the state, start with yourself!" And he did it... Ruslan will forever remain in our hearts as an example of patriotism, indomitable spirit, kindness and boundless love not only for his family, but also for Ukraine," said Kateryna Marusyk, Ruslan's sister. The hero was buried in the village of Kadubivtsi, Chernivtsi region. At home, Ruslan was awaited by his parents, wife, two children, sisters, niece, grandmother and other relatives. On November 13, 2023, in memory of Ruslan, in his native village, his mother Maria, father Dmytro and wife Kristina planted an oak "Forest of Memory".