Yaroslav V. Yurchenko (Mafik)

Soldier Yaroslav Yurchenko (call sign Mafik) was killed on June 13, 2023, in the area of the settlement of Bilohorivka in Luhansk region. In the battle with the occupiers, he came under mortar fire and received fatal injuries. Two months before this, on April 13, the defender turned 25 years old. Yaroslav was born in the city of Uzyn, Kyiv region. After school, he obtained the profession of an electrician at the local lyceum No. 1. In civilian life, he worked at a sugar factory. He loved life, animals, and people. He had many plans that he did not have time to realize. On December 15, 2022, the man was drafted into the airborne assault troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He held the position of gunner in the 81st separate airmobile brigade. "This is a very heavy loss for us, as if a piece of our heart was torn out... He was a very good friend. He always smiled and helped in difficult moments," said the deceased's daughter-in-law Inna Yurchenko. The paratrooper was buried in his hometown. Yaroslav is survived by his mother, brother with family, other relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms.