Viktor S. Ohniev (Ohonok)

Senior soldier Viktor Ohniev (call sign Ohonok) was killed on August 17, 2023 near the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region. While rescuing his comrades, he came under enemy artillery fire and received fatal injuries. The defender was forever 30 years old. Viktor was from the village of Chernyakhiv, Zhytomyr region. In 2004, he graduated from the Higher Vocational School of Zhytomyr State Technological University, obtaining the profession of a wide-profile machine operator. He worked as an auto mechanic, welder, and construction worker. His last job was at LLC "Danico LTD", where he held the position of a machine operator. In January 2023, the man joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend his country from the occupiers. After training in the United Kingdom, he served in the 82nd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade. "He grew up as a good boy. He always helped his parents and relatives, loved to tinker, and did well in school. He was not afraid of work, took on everything to earn money. He had to go through different things. But Viktor always dreamed of a strong family. In 2013, he found his love. Then their first son was born, and in 2020 - the second. He coped with the role of a father excellently. He raised real defenders for his mother. He worked, looked for additional work, never idled, dreamed of his own car. All his relatives and friends knew and saw how he was trying. Everything worked out for him, and all his dreams gradually became a reality. On January 18, 2023, Viktor joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was proud to defend Ukraine, and his comrades-in-arms were proud of him. They always said: 'This is our Ohonok! He knows how to lift the mood of everyone.' Reliable, cheerful, sincere, bright, kind... This is how he will remain in the memory of his comrades-in-arms," the Chernyakhiv community said. "Viktor's childhood was not easy, he learned to survive in this world on his own and even helped his brothers. He dreamed of his own family and a happy future. He always came to help at any time of the day. A jack-of-all-trades, sincere, kind, brave, cheerful, the best father. When his son Anatoliy hugged the coffin, I promised that his father would receive the highest award from Ukrainians," added the deceased's friend. The paratrooper was buried in his native village. Viktor is survived by his wife Oksana, sons Anatoliy and Vladyslav, mother, two brothers, grandmother, relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms.