Taras O. Spashchenko (Dzha)

Soldier Taras Spashchenko (call sign Jha) was killed on June 2, 2022 while performing a combat mission near the village of Virnopillia in the Kharkiv region. He was 37 years old. Taras was born in the city of Dnipro. He graduated from the Oles Honchar Dnipro National University with a degree in Radiophysics and Electronics. He worked for a security company, installing alarm and video surveillance systems. He participated in the ATO in 2015-2016. During the full-scale invasion, he defended Ukraine in the ranks of the anti-tank platoon of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar". Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Kharkiv region from Russian invaders. "Brother, I still can't believe it... The best of us always go first. You was killed as a warrior, in battle, defending your native land. We will not forget this and will not forgive the enemy. I will miss you and I still can't hold back my tears... Friend, brother, comrade, godfather, and many others you were to me. And we will meet under the canopy, as we agreed, wait for me..." wrote his friend Oleksa. "He was the best father and husband," said his wife Victoria. The defender was buried at the Krasnopilskyi cemetery in his native Dnipro. Taras left behind his parents, sister, wife and two sons. Posthumously, soldier Taras Spashchenko was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.