Serhii H. Ryzhuk (Ryzhyi)

Serhiy Hryhorovych Ryzhuk was born on January 9, 1984, in Rivne. From 1999 to 2002, he studied at the Rivne Technical College of the National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, majoring in "Operator of Pumping and Compressor Installations." In 2014, he volunteered to participate in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO). He fought in the battles for Donetsk Airport, as well as near the villages of Pisky and Vodiane. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, he was a military officer with experience, serving as a tank platoon commander. During a tank battle, Serhiy drew enemy fire to his tank, saving the lives of his comrades. Serhiy Ryzhuk was killed on March 2, 2022. Due to active hostilities, his body could not be immediately transported to Rivne. When the fighting subsided somewhat, local residents were able to bury the tank crew, which had been hit by the Russians, in the ground next to the destroyed tank. The exact coordinates were reported to the military, and as soon as the occupiers were expelled from the settlement, the soldier's body was delivered to Rivne Oblast. On April 7, 2022, Serhiy Ryzhuk was buried in the Alley of Heroes at the "Nove" cemetery in Rivne. For personal courage and selfless actions demonstrated in defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for his loyalty to military oath, Serhiy Hryhorovych Ryzhuk was posthumously awarded the Order of "For Courage" III degree.