Yurii O. Cherniak (Chornyi)

Paratrooper Yuriy Chernyak (call sign Chornyi) was killed on August 6, 2022, during an assault on enemy positions near the village of Dolyna in Donetsk region. The warrior was 50 years old at the time of his death. Yuriy Chernyak was born and lived in Kyiv. He graduated from the Kyiv National Economic University. He was passionate about fishing and construction. In civilian life, he was engaged in entrepreneurial activities. He had a good knowledge of history and never tired of engaging in education even at the front. He consistently defended the Ukrainian language. He was always caring and active: from the student Revolution on Granite, the protest against the Soviet parade in 1991, to the Revolution of Dignity, during which he was injured. On February 24, 2022, he joined the ranks of the Territorial Defense and stood to defend the capital and the region. Later, he joined the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As part of his unit, he fought in Donetsk region. "I went to war as a volunteer. I always understood that a large-scale war with the Russian Federation was inevitable. And it is on this front that we will have to fight for our independence. I gave my life to preserve our future," noted the wife of the fallen, Valentyna. "The residents of Pukhivka remember him—Yuriy, along with his wife, collected signatures against the illegal construction on the island in the Desna River. He was concerned about everything happening in the country… He rebuilt a house in Pukhivka with his own hands, happily grew tomatoes and okra with momordica. He was an adept fisherman and loved catching predators since childhood. There will be no more 30-kilogram catfish or 5-kilogram pike caught on a spinning rod. And in this world, there will no longer be the best father for his son and daughter, a caring son for elderly parents, a beloved husband for his wife, the best friend, selfless and always willing to help. Yura adored communication and people, had an amazing ability to attract and unite people around him; everyone loved him, even casual acquaintances. Now his relatives are learning to live without him. And at war, his son, a volunteer, continues to defend the homeland. May your path be easy, warrior of light. Thank you," stated the Zazym community. The hero was buried in the village of Pukhivka in the Kyiv region. Yuriy is survived by his parents, wife, son, daughter, other relatives, friends, and comrades. Posthumously, soldier Yuriy Chernyak was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.