Yaroslav O. Oliinyk (Yarik)

24-year-old soldier Yaroslav Oliynyk (call sign Yaryk) was killed in action on June 5, 2022, during a defensive battle in the area of the village of Myronivka, Bakhmut district, in Donetsk region. The warrior covered his comrade from the shot of an enemy sniper, but himself received a fatal injury. The bullet pierced the passport of a citizen of Ukraine. Yaroslav was born and lived in Kyiv. In 2017, he graduated from the Boyarka College of Ecology and Natural Resources with a degree in Management. During his studies, he met his future wife. He was fond of computers and their repair, was interested in new technologies. Before the war, he worked in a company that manufactured roller shutters and developed websites. With the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Yaroslav took up arms to defend his family, joining the TRO of Kyiv, and later the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He said: "Slaves are not allowed into heaven." He served in the 241st separate brigade of territorial defense. He held the position of shooter of the 7th company of the 242nd separate battalion (military unit A4081). He was always the first - in training, on the shooting range, on the run. After the liberation of Kyiv region in mid-May 2022, the 7th rifle company strengthened its positions in Donetsk region. "Yaroslav Oliynyk was only 24 years old when he joined our 242nd battalion. It was during difficult times for Ukraine that he showed his great heroic heart. Saving another life without thinking about fear was an important sense for Yaroslav. As a volunteer, he went with a group to counter the enemy's breakthrough in the Bakhmut area on that cursed day, June 5. In addition to the enemy's devastating artillery fire, the positions of the Ukrainians were attacked by the enemy's combat small aviation, which made over 10 sorties. The sky and earth had no horizon. The day was like night, with the smell of gunpowder. But during the evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield, an enemy sniper's bullet stopped the heart of a Ukrainian. I remember how a smile remained on Yaroslav's face on the last day of his life. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!", wrote his comrade Konstantin. The brave warrior was buried at the Lukyanivskiy cemetery in his native Kyiv. Yaroslav left behind his parents, wife, daughter, relatives, friends, and comrades. Posthumously, soldier Yaroslav Oliynyk was awarded the Order "For Courage" of the III degree. He was also awarded the title of "Hero of Ukraine" with the award of the Order of the Golden Star.