Viacheslav V. Ishchenko (Siava)

Sergeant Major Vyacheslav Ishchenko (call sign Syava) was killed on July 5, 2023 near the village of Nevelske in the Donetsk region. His group, returning from a combat mission, came under enemy air strike. The defender was forever 46 years old. The warrior was born in Odesa. After school, he received vocational education at Bratske Vocational School No. 17 and mastered the specialty of a wide-profile tractor driver. He worked as a long-distance driver for almost his entire life. He loved fishing and dreamed of housing for his children. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, he volunteered to defend the Motherland. He served in the 10th battalion of the 59th separate motorized infantry brigade. He held the position of driver-mechanic. "It's been a year, but the pain doesn't subside, because he is my little blood, I raised him from diapers. My brother was an incredible person, where he was, there was always a holiday. Slavik went as a volunteer, he wanted to liberate Tavriysk, because our uncle lived there, he dreamed of calling him and saying: 'Tavriysk is free, you can return home.' He loved his children very much, took care of his family, in the last video call he told me: 'Remember, sister, I love you and all of you very much!' " - said the older sister of the fallen Vira Smira. The warrior was buried in the "Lageri" cemetery in Voznesensk, Mykolaiv region. The defender left behind a wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, five nieces and nephews, and three grandchildren. Stands honoring Sergeant Major Vyacheslav Ishchenko are installed on the Alleys of Glory in the cities of Mykolaiv and Voznesensk, and in the village of Bratske.