Yurii M. Kaptenko

Soldier Yurii Kaptenko (call sign Petson) died on June 10, 2024 in the hospital in Kryvyi Rih. Two days earlier, he was seriously wounded while performing a combat mission on Kozatskyi Island in Kherson Oblast. The military man was 51 years old. Yurii was from the village of Sanzharyha, Cherkasy Oblast. After school, he studied at Cherkasy Vocational School No. 22, where he obtained the qualifications of a fitter-assembler and electric gas welder. Later, he graduated from the European University with a degree in Management. In civilian life, he was engaged in entrepreneurial activities and worked as an installer. He was a professional in his field. He was passionate about football and music, especially the work of the band "Accept". During the full-scale invasion, the man joined the defense forces. He served in military unit A4788 of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a sapper. "Yura was a very patriotic, motivated soldier. He was proud that at the age of 50 he was taken to the Special Operations Forces. He was an example for his comrades-in-arms. He was a wonderful grandfather. The grandchildren, who grew up without a father, adored him. Honest, fair, a worthy son of his country!" - this is how his wife Iryna described the fallen. Yurii was buried in the Alley of Heroes of the cemetery in Cherkasy. At home, he was awaited by his wife, daughter and two twin grandchildren. The military man was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.