Serhii S. Makodzioba (Zhyvchyk)

Senior soldier Serhii Makodzoba (call sign Zhyvchyk) was killed on February 16, 2023, in battle near Vuhledar in the Donetsk region. He was 37 years old. Serhii lived in the village of Matviiikha, Kyiv region. In 2001, he graduated from the local educational complex of grades I-II. In 2004, he obtained the profession of an electric and gas welder at vocational school No. 27. In 2005-2006, he served in the armed forces. In 2015-2016, he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation. In civilian life, he worked as a security guard and a laborer. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, he again stood up to defend his homeland. He served in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians. He was a rifleman-assistant grenadier. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Kyiv and Donetsk regions. "He was a person with a capital letter, always came to help, cheerful, kind. It's no coincidence that he had the call sign Zhyvchyk, because he was a person who always charged everyone with positivity. Brave and devoted to Ukraine. He loved to film everything and keep a TikTok. Without hesitation, he was at the military enlistment office with bags on the morning of February 24th. He was a caring father, a loving and reliable husband, the best son, a wonderful brother, a faithful friend," said the deceased's niece Taya. Serhii was buried in his native village of Matviiikha. He is survived by his mother, wife, son, other relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms. Posthumously, the hero was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.