Valerii V. Leontiuk

Soldier Valerii Leontiuk (call sign Wind) died on July 16, 2024, during enemy mortar shelling near the village of Chuikivka, Sumy region. The defender was 41 years old. Valerii was born in the city of Komsomolsk (now Horishni Plavni) in Poltava region. After school, he obtained the profession of crane operator and driver at vocational school No. 18. He worked as a driver at various enterprises in the city and abroad. He was interested in cars and loved to repair them. During the full-scale invasion, he defended the country as part of the 119th separate brigade of the territorial defense. He held the position of driver in the rifle company of the 163rd battalion. He underwent military training in France and mastered the specialty of a sapper. He has an honorary certificate for conscientious performance of official duties, in particular for shooting down drones. "I grew up in his arms, he was not an uncle to me, but more of a brother. Very cheerful, smart, brave, quick-witted, fair. Loved to help people. When he got into the army, he was very capable of learning, mastered various types of equipment and weapons. We miss him, love him and will never forget. We will not forgive," said the warrior's niece Veronika. The defender was buried in the Alley of Glory of the city cemetery in Horishni Plavni. Valerii is survived by his mother Nina Norbertivna, sister Valentyna, niece Veronika, and godson Damir.