Valerii I. Druz (Kaskad)

Soldier Valeriy Druz (call sign Cascade) died on September 5, 2023 in the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Hospital. On August 20, he was wounded in battle with the enemy near the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Doctors fought for the warrior's life until the end. He would have turned 43 years old on October 2. Valeriy was born and lived in Berezne, Rivne region. After school, he studied at the Berezne Forestry College. In 2003, he graduated with honors from the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences, majoring in Forestry. In civilian life, he was engaged in entrepreneurial activities - he grew poultry. In addition to nature and animals, he loved cars. In the first days of the full-scale invasion, the man took up arms and stood up to defend his country from the occupiers. He fought in the ranks of the 117th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the position of senior mechanic-driver. "A beloved husband, loving father, patriot, faithful friend, reliable comrade and simply a wonderful cheerful person," - this is how the deceased was described by his wife Inna. "Professors, classmates, colleagues and friends respected Valeriy Ivanovych for his inherent honesty, simplicity and sincerity. They remember him as a cheerful, kind and decent person. They say he was a sincere friend who could always be relied upon," the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences added. The defender was buried in the Alley of Glory in his hometown. At home, Valeriy was awaited by his parents, wife, two daughters and two sons.