Yevhenii V. Pilnik (Ford)

Soldier Yevheniy Pilnik (call sign Ford) was killed on April 22, 2022, during the liberation of the village of Ruska Lozova in the Kharkiv region. He was traveling in a vehicle with his comrades when an enemy mine hit the car. Yevheniy was pulling his friends out. When he tried to take cover, another mine exploded nearby. Ford sustained severe injuries and from blood loss. He was left with 46 years forever. Yevheniy was born in the city of Snovsk, Chernihiv region. However, he lived his whole life in Kharkiv. He obtained a profession as a chef-pastry chef at Kharkiv Vocational School No. 35. After graduating, he worked for a while in the police. In the last few years, he was a long-haul truck driver for a Polish company. He was passionate about cars, and being behind the wheel was a form of relaxation for him. He dreamed of opening a car service station. He loved traveling, fishing, and camping. At the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Yevheniy was abroad. But within a week, he returned to Kharkiv, took his family out, and joined the Territorial Defense Forces. Later, he joined the special unit "Kraken." "Yevheniy was a very kind person. He had many friends. Family was always his top priority. He adored his children. He was my support, my wall, my love, my friend, my teacher. I always told Zhenya: 'You are my hero.' And now he has become a hero not only for me but for our entire country. I am proud of his bravery and dedication to our family and our Ukraine," said the wife of the fallen defender. The soldier was buried at the Alley of Glory in Kharkiv. Yevheniy is survived by his wife Lyubov, sons Vladislav and Yuriy, and daughter Polina. Posthumously, soldier Yevheniy Pilnik was awarded the medal "For Combat Merits."