Yevhen A. Bilokovalenko (Yakut)

35-year-old senior sergeant Yevhen Bilokovalenko (call sign Yakut) was killed on February 21, 2023 near the village of Makiivka in the Luhansk region. While carrying out a combat mission, the soldier received fatal injuries during an enemy mortar attack. Yevhen was born in the village of Zapsillya, Sumy region. In 2009, he graduated from the Krasnopillia evening school. He served his military service. In 2017, he moved to the village of Pokrovka. The following year, he got married. He worked various jobs, including as a driver. This profession was close to his heart, as he was passionate about cars and machinery. In 2016, the man went to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 58th separate motorized infantry brigade, holding the position of BTR commander. In 2018, he signed a three-year contract with the 30th separate mechanized brigade. He held the position of driver in the automotive platoon of the commandant's company. He participated in the ATO/JFO operations in Donbas. He wanted to return to civilian life, but the full-scale war began. In 2022, Yevhen fought against the invaders in the ranks of the 66th separate mechanized brigade. He was a grenade launcher assistant. "After the end of the contract, he planned not to connect his life with military service anymore, but with the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the man immediately went to defend the Motherland. Our Yevhen was kind, loving, hardworking, and fair," said the wife of the fallen soldier. The warrior was buried in the town of Krasnopillia, Sumy region. At home, Yevhen was awaited by his wife Natalia and daughter Maryna.