Ruslan V. Stepura (Fastiv, Nyva)

Senior Sergeant Ruslan Steppura (call sign Niva) was killed on August 23, 2022, in a battle with the occupiers in the Kharkiv region. The warrior was 47 years old. Ruslan was born in the city of Fastiv, Kyiv region. He stu at the local school No. 3. Then he received the profession of an auto electrician at the Fastiv Professional and Technical School. He served in the army. Later, he graduated from the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University. He worked as a private entrepreneur in the field of advertising and printing industry, construction and agriculture. He actively participated in the Revolution of Dignity. As part of the 25th battalion "Kyiv Rus", he fought in the ATO in Donbas. Ruslan was at the origins of the creation of the Fastiv territorial defense. During the full-scale invasion, the man joined the 30th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Kostyantin Ostrozky and went to defend Ukraine. "Brave, persistent, positive and hardworking! That's how I remembered this brave man. Ruslan Steppura always responded to good initiatives and helped. Thank you! You were true and sincere!", wrote Fastiv resident Myroslava Smyrnova. "Bright, powerful, talented Ukrainian warrior", noted comrade Roman Semchishin. "It's very sad that those who have colossal experience are leaving our land. Rest in peace. When I found out about his death, I remembered that for me he was always a bit rough and incomprehensible, but... he was true and truthful", wrote acquaintance Oksana Volkova. The defender was buried in the Alley of Glory of the International Cemetery in Fastiv. Ruslan left behind his parents, wife, two sons, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Posthumously, Senior Sergeant Ruslan Steppura was awarded the Order "For Courage" of the III degree.