Volodymyr M. Kokta

Senior Sergeant Volodymyr Kokta (call sign Mykhailovych) died on October 29, 2022, during an enemy assault near the village of Pavlivka in the Donetsk region. The defender was 56 years old. Volodymyr was born in the settlement of Ruzhyn, Zhytomyr region. He graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. In civilian life, he worked in construction. In his free time, he loved to read books. On February 25, 2022, the man was called up to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians. He was an operator-gunner of the battery of anti-tank guided missiles of the anti-tank artillery division. "Dad was a kind, sincere person, a loving, caring father and grandfather. He had four grandchildren. According to his comrades-in-arms, he always knew how to support and lend a shoulder in a difficult moment. Above all, he valued justice. He always took all tasks responsibly," said Marina Kokta. Volodymyr was buried at the Berkovets cemetery in Kyiv. He left behind two daughters, grandchildren, and his ex-wife. The defender was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.