Volodymyr V. Blyzniuk

A Belarusian by nationality. He graduated from Chernihiv Collegium No. 11 and a music school. He served his mandatory military service in the 5th Separate Slobozhansk Brigade of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Later, he worked as a foreman in a private company while simultaneously obtaining a law degree, studying part-time in the final year at the Chernihiv branch of the Moscow State Open University — Ukrainian-Russian Institute. In April 2014, he and his father, retired Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Blyzniuk, went to the military enlistment office and volunteered to defend the Motherland. His father was not accepted for service due to his age, and Volodymyr Jr. was mobilized… His mother, Olena Volodymyrivna, said: "He decided that himself. When the Russians seized Crimea, he couldn't calm down: 'How can they take it? What right do they have?'. He dropped everything and said: 'I want to defend Ukraine. I was born here, and I will not give away my Motherland. They took Crimea, but I won't give away anything more…'. I went to work at the local Red Cross organization, collecting donations for refugees. I thought that God's grace would be upon my child… I sent him packages every 10 days. The last time we spoke on the phone was on September 1 — I sent him a call for the last session along with humanitarian aid, as he was supposed to receive his diploma in December. He said: 'Mom, I received the letter, but I can't talk right now…'. He also said: 'Mom, if you only knew what "Grad" is.' He was on duty with two friends in some building when they were shelled. One of the boys was concussed, another was wounded, and Volodya had his arm torn off, shrapnel hit his chest and head. The building also collapsed, and he was trapped. By the time the ambulance arrived, he had died from blood loss…".