Ігор Юрійович. Полонський (Князь)

Chief Sergeant Igor Polonsky (call sign Prince) engaged in his final battle on December 5, 2023, near the village of Stepove in the Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he sustained fatal shrapnel wounds. The soldier was 42 years old. Igor was a native of Kyiv. He studied at school No. 196 until the 4th grade. After his mother's death, the family moved to the Solomianskyi district, where he completed his education at school No. 144. In 1996, he enrolled in the Kyiv Industrial Technical School. In the 2000s, he served in military unit A2860. After his service, he worked as a manager, where he received his future call sign Prince." He also worked as a bank security guard. In his free time, he was involved in sports, playing football for the "UFIMB" team. He enjoyed spending time with his family in nature, grilling shashlik for his loved ones. He also liked to go to the forest and collect mushrooms. He had a dream of a small house near the forest. According to his loved ones, Igor was determined and persistent. He had a broad outlook and a good memory. He was known for his prudent thinking. He was always confident in his actions and in his assessment of events. He was demanding of himself, as well as his friends, family, colleagues, and comrades-in-arms. In the team, he always took a leadership position and had significant authority. In 2014, he approached the Azov headquarters to join the volunteer defenders, but was refused. At the start of the full-scale invasion, the man tried again. He went to the military enlistment office of the Sviatoshynskyi district twice, and only on the third attempt, on March 5, 2022, was he accepted into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A week later, Sergeant Igor Polonsky took on the duties of the head of the control and technical point of the MANPADS squad of the 3rd class in northern Ukraine. He served in the 26th Rifle Battalion. In May 2022, he became a chief sergeant, a month later - a squad leader, and in October - a MANPADS gunner. After his squad was attached to the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade "Magura," he was transferred to the Avdiivka direction. In December 2022, the squad was relocated to the Donetsk region. Igor went on reconnaissance missions and, together with his squad, covered positions in the Vuhledar and Avdiivka directions. For his brave work, Igor was awarded the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's "Golden Cross" distinction, as well as certificates and a war veteran medal. "For us, his family, he has always been, is, and will be a Hero! But we want him to be a Hero not only for us, but for all of Ukraine. He deserved it at the cost of his own life! And he will always be in our hearts!" - wrote the wife of the fallen defender. The defender was buried at the Berkovetskyi Cemetery in the capital. Igor is survived by his wife Svitlana and sons Yaroslav and Vladyslav.