Valerii M. Saveliev (Azimut)

19-year-old soldier Valerii Saveliev (call sign Azimut) was killed on August 19, 2023 in a battle for Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, the defender suffered a fatal explosive injury. In August, the warrior was to marry his beloved. Valerii was from the town of Hola Prystan in the Kherson region. He studied by correspondence at the Dnipropetrovsk State University of Internal Affairs, majoring in "Law Enforcement". Since childhood, he was passionate about the history of the Cossacks, radio engineering, and attended relevant clubs. In January 2022, the young man turned 18 years old. He dreamed of joining the Azov regiment and began the process to get into military service. In February, he underwent testing and a medical commission when the full-scale war began. Ultimately, Valerii became a fighter of the 3rd separate assault brigade and went to the front. He was a gunner. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Kyiv, Zaporizhia, and Donetsk regions. He dreamed of liberating his hometown and the Kherson region. During his combat path, Valerii was awarded the badge "For Assistance in the Defense of Kyiv", the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's "Golden Cross" award, and was nominated for the "For Saved Life" award, which he did not have time to receive. "Valerii had the desire to serve even before the great war. He was a very brave and intelligent young man. He had numerous concussions, but never retreated, remaining faithful to the oath until the end of his life," said the mother of his fiancée Yevheniia. "Valerii was always positive, friendly, curious, sincere and open. This is how he will remain in the memory and hearts of his relatives and acquaintances - with a sincere smile and a courageous heart!" added the Hola Prystan City Council. The young warrior was buried in the Alley of Heroes of the Krasnopilskyi Cemetery in Dnipro. Valerii is survived by his fiancée, brother, grandmother, close ones, many friends and comrades-in-arms.