Yulian O. Matviichuk (Bober)

Sergeant Julian Matviychuk (call sign "Beaver) was killed on May 20, 2023, in a hospital in Dnipro. Five days earlier, near the city of Mariinka in the Donetsk region, he sustained severe injuries as a result of a direct hit by an enemy shell on his dugout. Julian was from the city of Poltava. In 2014, he graduated from the Poltava National Pedagogical University named after Volodymyr Korolenko, where he obtained a degree as a history and law teacher. His diploma was received by his relatives, as at that time Julian was already serving in the East as a volunteer of the "Azov" regiment. During his studies, he actively participated in the Revolution of Dignity. He was one of the leaders of the Poltava Maidan. He commanded the Poltava self-defense company in Kyiv. On November 27, 2013, he was wounded during a clash with the "Berkut" forces. After returning from the war, he was a deputy of the Poltava City Council of the VII and VIII convocations. During the full-scale invasion, the man again stood up to defend Ukraine. He fought in the ranks of the 144th battalion of the 116th separate brigade of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was an operator-scout of the reconnaissance platoon. During his service, the warrior was awarded the following distinctions: "For Valiant Service" (2015), "For Sacrifice and Love for Ukraine" (2016), "For Loyalty to the People of Ukraine" II degree (2017), "Combatant of the Legion of Freedom" (2019), "For Loyalty to the People of Ukraine" I degree (2022), "Unity is Strength" (2023), and the Order of Courage III degree (posthumously). The fallen warrior was buried in the Alley of Heroes of the Central Cemetery in his hometown. He is survived by his wife Lilia, daughter Eva, who was not even 2 years old at the time of his death, relatives, and many friends and comrades-in-arms. Julian Matviychuk was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Poltava".