Yevhen O. Zhyhailo (Zhoha)

44-year-old soldier Yevhen Zhyhaylo (call sign Zhoga) was killed on November 14, 2023, during a hostile mortar attack in the area of the village of Ivanivske, Donetsk region. Yevhen was born and lived in Kyiv. After finishing school, he enrolled in the Kyiv Electrotechnical College, but in order to support his family in difficult times, he had to leave his studies and go to work. For 10 years, he was professionally involved in hand-to-hand combat and had skills in handling weapons. He worked in personal security, but over time changed his profession to a transport department manager. He loved fishing, which he later made a family affair. He also loved to read, wrote poems, and adored playing the guitar, even mastering the harmonica on his own. He was always a fighter for justice and never stood aside. He participated in the Revolution of Dignity. He was the father of two daughters, whom he loved very much, always took an interest in and was proud of their achievements. He was always there for them and never allowed his girls to be offended. With the start of the full-scale invasion, the man joined the ranks of the Kyiv Territorial Defense Forces, and later the 242nd separate battalion of the 241st separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He aspired to become a combat medic. During this difficult period, he found another large and friendly family - his comrades-in-arms, the "Combat Beavers". The guys were always by his side and fought shoulder to shoulder for a free country. "During the great war, the eldest daughter first saw her father's tears during a video call, when he said how much he missed his children. Zhenia was the most loyal friend, a reliable and faithful person, on whom one could always rely. He was always ready to help, even at the expense of his personal life. Among the large circle of communication, Yevhen also had the best friends, one of whom was his godfather and comrade-in-arms. This was Oleksandr Hroshchenko (call sign Grosha). This friendship began from the first days of college. Yevhen witnessed the death of his comrade-in-arms and remembered his best friend until the last day," the deceased's loved ones said. For the defense of his native country, Yevhen received the medals "For Bravery", "For the Defense of the Hero City of Kharkiv", "Defender of the Fatherland", "For the Defense of Kyiv and the Kyiv Region". And posthumously, he was awarded the honorary badge "Combatant's Cross" and the medal "Cross of Freedom". The defender was buried in the village of Hatne, Kyiv region.