Ruslan V. Beliuzhenko (Yeher, Kit)

Senior Sergeant Ruslan Belyuzhenko (call sign Kit) killed in action on July 12, 2022, near the village of Yehorivka in Donetsk Oblast. The man received a fatal mine-explosive injury. Ruslan was born in the village of Solotvyno in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. He lived in the village of Bohorodchany. He was a private entrepreneur, providing services for TV and radio repair. He also managed TzOV "Verkhovyna DS" and was a plastun-senior. He loved nature and animals, was engaged in dog training and breeding, kept a nursery "FoxJeger". He was fond of hunting, but for survival, not for pleasure. He fought against poachers. He was an instructor and a member of the 79th kurin of V. Lipinsky. When the full-scale war began, the man enlisted in the territorial defense. He carried out patrols, taught the guys, as he had survival skills in the forest. At the first opportunity, he volunteered to go to the front line as part of the 68th separate hunting brigade from Solotvyn Forest. He was the chief sergeant of the platoon. One of the tasks of his unit was to track down enemy DRGs. During the battles, he was wounded. Comrades told that Kit led them out of danger. After being wounded, relatives persuaded him to stay home and be useful on the spot. However, the man replied: "Better to die standing than to live on my knees," and returned to the front line. This time already for the last time. "Dad was a versatile person, loved nature, had survival skills in the forest and shared them with young people," said Yuliana, the daughter of the deceased warrior. The defender was buried at the Bohorodchany cemetery in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. At home, Ruslan's wife and daughter were waiting for him. Posthumously, Ruslan Belyuzhenko was awarded the "Iron Plast Cross" and the badge "Honorary Worker of the Ukrainian Forestry Industry".