Yurii I. Cherhinets (Ukrop)

41-year-old senior soldier Yuriy Cherginets (call sign Ukrop) died in the hospital on September 7, 2023, from wounds sustained in the Kharkiv region. On July 12, while carrying out a combat mission in the area of the settlement of Dvorichna, he came under enemy mortar fire, as a result of which he received a gunshot shrapnel wound to the head. He was in a coma for almost a month, but could not overcome the consequences of the severe injury. Yuriy was born in the village of Khrestivka, Kherson region. He studied at the Khrestivska secondary school of grades I-III. Then he graduated from a vocational school. In civilian life, he worked as a builder and a security guard, and went abroad to earn money. From childhood, he was passionate about cars, motorcycles, and technology. In his free time, he loved to fish, watch movies, and play the computer game "World of Tanks". In 2015, the man signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operation. During the full-scale war, he defended Ukraine as part of the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Roman. He was a machine gunner squad leader. Over the years of service, he went through almost all the hot spots and fierce battles for Mariinka, Shchastia, Krymske, Novotoshkivka, Popasna, Talakivka, Soledar, Vuhledar, Sievierodonetsk, Kupiansk. He was repeatedly awarded with awards and certificates. "Yuriy dedicated 8 years of his life to military service, gave his soul and body for the sake of our freedom. He believed that it is the duty of every man to protect our land, our homes, our lives for the sake of a bright future for our children. He was a bright and kind person, a wonderful husband and loving father, a support for his relatives, loved ones and comrades-in-arms. He always joked, never complained about the circumstances in which he found himself. In his eyes, the fire and thirst for life, faith in our victory, always burned. This is a very heavy loss for all of us, an unbearable pain and a wound that will never heal. Having lost him, we lost a part of ourselves. Our lives will never be the same again. This sacrifice must not be in vain, and every Ukrainian must realize at what cost our freedom is given. People should know the heroes who have forever remained in the ranks..." - said the wife of the fallen Anna. The warrior was buried in the Alley of Glory of the Forest Cemetery in Kyiv. Yuriy is survived by his mother, sister, wife, two children, friends and comrades-in-arms.