Stepan V. Amelkin (Bandera)

Military serviceman Stepan Amelkin (call sign Bandera) was killed on May 27, 2022, during the defense against the occupiers in the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk region. The warrior was 34 years old. Stepan was born in Kyiv. He graduated from the State University of Telecommunications. He worked as a communications engineer at the enterprise "Ukrainian Special Systems." During the full-scale Russian invasion, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine to fight against the occupiers. He held the position of a gunner in a mechanized platoon in one of the units. "Having gone a long way together, our team can confidently say that we lost a reliable friend and a professional in his field, who was repeatedly awarded departmental honors. Stepan was only 34 years old — the peak of his strength, with a whole life ahead, but the insidious enemy launched an attack on Ukraine, dividing the lives of every Ukrainian into 'before' and 'after.' He was a true patriot. Therefore, without hesitation, he stood up to defend the state, feeling the need to preserve the independence and freedom of our country and each of us. The true essence of a person is revealed in war, and thus the last hours of Stepan's life best demonstrate what kind of person he was. Stepan was very kind, sensitive, and bright. A true hero, a loyal comrade, a Man with a capital letter. He will forever remain in our hearts. You are our hero!" — said the colleagues of the fallen. "I want my brother to be remembered the most," said the soldier's sister, Olga. Stepan was buried at the Bortnychi Cemetery in Kyiv. He is survived by a sister and a nephew.