Volodymyr M. Oriekhov (Kashtan)

38-year-old border guard Volodymyr Oriekhov (call sign Kashtаn) was killed on February 5, 2023 while performing a combat mission near the village of Novoyehorivka in the Luhansk region. As a result of enemy tank shelling of the combat position, he received fatal injuries. Volodymyr was born in the village of Svitle in the Luhansk region. He studied at the Novobelyanskа secondary school. In 2002-2004, he served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Then he worked as a driver at the "Dobrobut" enterprise. In 2007-2019, he served under contract in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Forces Operation as part of the Luhansk border detachment. The last year he served in the Sumy border detachment. After being discharged, he worked as a gas equipment maintenance mechanic at the Bilolutska section of PJSC "Luhanskgaz". He had many hobbies: fishing, hunting, making decorative metal elements. He planned to make decorations for the balcony and gates himself. On February 24, 2022, Volodymyr returned to his native 3rd Luhansk Border Guard Detachment named after Hero of Ukraine Colonel Yevhen Pikus, to defend his country again. He held the position of a 3rd category border guard inspector. Together with his comrades-in-arms, he defended the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. "My husband said on February 23, 2022: 'I swore allegiance to the people of Ukraine and I will not break my promise. I will not stand aside when the guys I have served with for so many years go to defend our Motherland if necessary.' On February 24, 2022, he went to the unit on his own to defend our state. Volodymyr was a beloved and reliable husband, a caring and attentive father, a polite and kind son, a sincere and courageous unbreakable warrior," said Nadiia Oriekhova. The defender was buried in the Alley of Heroes of the cemetery in Cherkasy. Volodymyr is survived by his parents, brother, wife, two sons, relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms. Senior Sergeant Volodymyr Oriekhov was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.