Serhii V. Usyk (Kot)

Soldier Serhii Usyk (call sign Cat) was killed on April 9, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission near the settlement of Khromove in the Donetsk region. He was about to turn 39 years old in May. Serhii was born in the village of Vovnyaka, Poltava region. After graduating from the 9th grade, he mastered the specialty of a driver-electrician at the Myrhorod Vocational School. Later, he enrolled at the Poltava University of Economics and Trade, which he graduated from with a break for military service. In his free time, he was passionate about sports and was a candidate for the title of Master of Sports in boxing, able to win and take a punch. During the full-scale Russian invasion, the man joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Later, he was transferred to the "Wolves Da Vinci" battalion of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade, where he served as a reconnaissance squad commander. "Serhii remained faithful to the military oath and Ukraine, which he loved above all else, until his last breath. He was a brave warrior and a worthy soldier, motivated and fearless. He skillfully and ruthlessly destroyed the enemy, bringing our victory closer. Unfortunately, the battle on April 9, 2023, was his last. 'Until the end for justice' - this was his life motto," said the deceased's godmother, Anna. "Our hero, Serhii Valeriiovych Usyk, was killed in battle for Ukraine. Grief has come to our family too. Eternal memory. There are no such people as you. You were the best brother, husband, father, uncle, and son. We love you. You will forever be in our hearts. God, help us to survive this," wrote Tetiana Shpak. The warrior was buried in the Alley of Heroes in Myrhorod, Poltava region. Serhii is survived by his parents, wife Nataliia, son Danylo, and other relatives and friends.