Yurii V. Derevianko (Kotia)

Soldier Yuriy Derevyanko (call sign Kotya) was killed on July 26, 2023 in the area of the settlement of Novosilske in the Luhansk region. In the battle with the occupiers, he received fatal injuries. The warrior was 49 years old. Yuriy was born in the settlement of Biliky, Poltava region. From childhood, he was engaged in football and weight-lifting. He took prize places in the district and region. In his youth, he was a DJ at the Bilytskyi House of Culture. He obtained the profession of painter-plasterer. Before the war, he worked as an operator of a cutting machine at the Kyiv company "ViYar". During the full-scale invasion, the man fought for his native country in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 32nd separate mechanized brigade. He was a rifleman-assistant grenadier. "Dad was very sociable, had many friends who respected him. Sincere, cheerful, adored music, loved to sing songs in the circle of relatives and friends. Dad always took care of me and supported me, believed in me and said he was proud of me. Many good childhood memories with Dad. I will never forget his "little Derevyanchykha"... My heart is breaking, I miss him so much. I'm very sad," shared the memories of the fallen warrior's daughter Anastasia. The defender was buried at the Novosilske cemetery in the village of Kustolavy Kushchi, Poltava region. At home in Yuriy, his parents and daughter were waiting.