Serhii D. Prytulenko (Boroda)

Junior Sergeant Serhii Prytulenko (call sign Boroda) was killed on March 25, 2022, in a battle with the occupiers in Donetsk region. On the morning of that day, in the area of the village of Novomykhailivka, the enemy began shelling the positions of Ukrainian defenders with artillery and tanks. Serhii received fatal injuries. He was 48 years old. Serhii was born and lived in the city of Novoukrainka, Kirovohrad region. He received a secondary education. He dreamed of becoming a military man since his school days. He served in the border troops as a conscript. After the army, he worked as a tractor driver. In 2019, he entered the Faculty of Construction and Transport of Central Ukrainian National Technical University. He planned to open a car repair workshop. He loved life and Ukraine, was a great patriot. In 2015, he was mobilized into the ranks of the 28th Mechanized Brigade. Then he signed a contract with the 57th Motorized Infantry Brigade. He participated in the ATO / JFO in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Since 2019, he has served in the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa. He was the commander of the platoon. During his service, he was repeatedly awarded, including the Honorary Badge of the Chief of the General Staff "For Excellence in Military Service" III degree. The full-scale invasion of February 24, 2022, the brigade of Serhii met on the Donbas. From the first days, the fighter, together with his comrades, continued to defend the country from the invaders. "Serhii dreamed of becoming a military man since his school days. But life makes its adjustments. A young, determined guy worked as a tractor driver. When Russia invaded the territory of Ukraine, he did not stand aside, but defended his homeland. In 2015, he became a warrior. Then there was a contract, and not just one. All these years turned into life in anticipation, excitement, fear. So much pain and tears were, because every day could be the last. We were afraid for him there, and he was worried about us here. He always said, "This is war. And on the war, everyone is afraid." But the scariest thing for him, as Serhii himself said, was that this scum could enter his home, destroy his family: "Who, if not us, should protect the land, family, homeland?" We had so many plans and dreams for the future... Flew away like a bird into eternity... Left eternal sadness and pain... How to live with this... You are nowhere... You are everywhere... Loved, missed, remembered... "- said the widow of the fallen warrior, Vita. Serhii was buried on the Alley of Heroes in his native city. The hero left behind his parents and wife. Posthumously, he was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the city of Novoukrainka".