Yurii L. Yurchenko (Vikinh)

Junior Lieutenant Yuriy Yurchenko (call sign Viking) was killed on July 19, 2023 while performing a combat mission in the village of Novosilske in the Luhansk region. As a result of mortar shelling, Yuriy received fatal injuries. He would have turned 44 years old on August 2. Yuriy was born and lived in Kyiv. He had higher education. He graduated from the Kyiv University of Tourism, Economics and Law. He participated in the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. He was a master in the production of collectible, souvenir car models (EMC-models). When the full-scale war began, he voluntarily applied to the military enlistment office. In April 2022, he was mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 32nd separate mechanized brigade. He was the commander of a machine gun unit. He took part in battles in the Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions. His comrades-in-arms said that Yuriy repeatedly saved their lives, carefully trained and prepared them. "You valued life, freedom and justice, your life views and dreams will be with me forever. Respect and gratitude to you, our dear Yurchyk," said his nephew Danyil Petrakov. Yuriy was awarded the honorary badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Steel Cross" and the badge "Veteran of War - Participant in Combat Operations". The hero was buried at the Forest Cemetery in Kyiv. Yuriy is survived by his parents, sister, nephew, and comrades-in-arms.