Yaroslav V. Sydorenko (Kreizi)

Junior Sergeant Yaroslav Sydorenko (call sign Crazy) was killed on May 20, 2022, during enemy shelling at the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol, Donetsk region. The defender was 45 years old. Yaroslav was born in the city of Fastiv, Kyiv region, in a large family. After graduating from high school, he worked at a family construction company. He participated in the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity. In the fall of 2014, he voluntarily joined the ranks of the special purpose unit "Azov". He held the position of machine gun section commander - senior machine gunner of the fire support platoon of the 3rd operational company of the 1st operational battalion. He took part in the Shyrokyne operation and in the battles on the Svitlodarsk Arc. "We had four sons and two daughters in our parents' family. Yaroslav was the eldest among the brothers. He was the wisest, always supported and listened carefully. Yaroslav started his service as a soldier and reached the rank of sergeant. He always conscientiously performed his duties and was loyal to Ukraine, his unit, his comrades-in-arms and his commander. My children and loved ones loved him very much. His comrades-in-arms respected him. They could always come to him for advice, because they considered him wise and prudent," said Vitaliy Sydorenko, the younger brother who survived almost a year of Russian captivity. From the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Yaroslav, together with his brothers Andriy and Vitaliy, defended Mariupol. "When the big war started, we were in Mariupol, then at Azovstal. We communicated in the messenger only when we found a connection. Yaroslav tried to support me morally, although he himself said goodbye to me more than once. The situation in his area was extremely difficult. I said: 'You have to survive, my children need an uncle.' And he replied: 'It is you who must survive, your children need a father,'" added Vitaliy. On April 15, 2022, at Azovstal, the middle of the Sydorenko brothers, Andriy, was killed. "I informed Yaroslav of his death by radio. The response was only short, but so eloquent: 'That's it, go on, I have no time.' By the intonation and sharpness, I felt that pain and despair. A week before the 'evacuation to Olenivka,' he came to my shelter. Somehow he got some chocolate candies and delicious ground coffee. That was something! And in general, to overcome that path through the factory is like walking a hundred kilometers with predatory animals nearby. Yaroslav scolded me for not telling about my injury. We took a photo together. That shared photo turned out to be our last one. A day before the 'evacuation to Olenivka,' he shared the joyful news that he had finally married his beloved." Yaroslav was awarded the commemorative sign Defender of Mariupol," the medal "For the Liberation of Mariupol," and "For Military Service to Ukraine." Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of Courage, 3rd degree. Yaroslav was buried on January 8, 2024, in the Alley of Glory of the International Cemetery in Fastiv. The warrior left behind a wife, two brothers, and two sisters. Andriy and Yaroslav Sydorenko were awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Fastiv." In the city, a street was renamed in honor of the brothers.