They were killed by Russia: military medics who died as a result of the war

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the ABO Local Media Development Agency created the Memorial: Killed by Russia. The memorial commemorates the names of civilians and soldiers who died due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "We have created this memorial so that you can learn about everyone killed by the Russian army," the media notes. 

In cooperation with the Memorial of Heroes, Svidomi tells about military medics who died due to the war.

Lieutenant Oleksii Riznychenko, callsign Tabletka, died on September 27, 2022, in the battle for Lyman, Donetsk region. During the evacuation of the wounded, the APC of Ukrainian defenders hit a mine. The officer was fatally injured. He was 28 years old.

Oleksii was born and lived in Kryvyi Rih. He graduated from the Kharkiv National Medical University. He worked as a family doctor and head of an outpatient clinic. In the autumn of 2022, he planned to retrain as a gynaecologist. He was interested in history, politics and economics. He loved hitchhiking. 

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he joined the Armed Forces. He was the head of the medical unit of the 66th separate mechanised brigade.

"Oleksii is the best of all people. In his 28 years, he has seen, felt and done more than most people do in a lifetime. It is hard to find such a versatile person. He could do anything because he had a knack for everything. He chose medicine because he wanted to help people more than anything else," said his sister Kateryna.

Combat medic Serhii Bolharchuk, callsign Doc, died on 1 October 2022 near the village of Liubymivka, Kherson region. The warrior was 26 years old.

Serhii was born in the village of Zavallia, Kirovohrad region. He graduated from the Savran Vocational Lyceum and earned an Electric and Gas Welding degree. Before the war, he worked at a quarry as a forklift driver in Kremenchuk.

At the outbreak of full-scale war, he volunteered for the 128th separate mountain assault brigade and was trained as a combat medic. 

" Serhii was a kind, brave, loving, and cheerful man. He had a zest for life and many plans for the future. He wanted to study to become an architect after the war. He was an optimist in life, always smiling and joking. I will never forget that smile. He loved his young son and tried to do everything to ensure that he had a happy childhood. When Serhii was given a leave on September 18, we got married but didn't stay married very long. We celebrated our son's birthday, thinking we had much more to come in our lives..." said his wife, Natalia.

Senior Sergeant Serhii Kuninets, callsign Doc, died on November 4, 2022, in a battle near the village of Pavlivka, Donetsk region. The defender was 25 years old.

Serhii was born in the village of Krasnokutsk, Kharkiv region. He graduated from the Bohodukhiv Medical College and became a male medical nurse. In 2016, after graduation, the 19-year-old voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served at the 65th Military Medical Hospital in Chasovyi Yar, Donetsk region, for three years. 

Since 2019, he has served in the 72nd Separate Mechanised Brigade, named after the Black Cossacks. He held the position of chief sergeant of the company. 

"Brave, decisive, courageous, steadfast. He was always ahead of everyone. He never boasted of his achievements, was not public - he did his job quietly and faithfully. After receiving a shrapnel wound to the head, he returned to his unit after treatment. Despite his young age, he enjoyed well-deserved authority and respect in the team," reads the petition created by the deceased's friends.

Sergeant Oleksandr Astrakhantsev, callsign Doctor Zlo (Evil) or Samurai, died on April 7, 2022, in a battle near Popasna, Luhansk region. The soldier was 53 years old.

Oleksandr was born in Berdychiv, Zhytomyr region. He graduated from the Berdychiv Medical College and became a paramedic. From 2005 to 2016, he lived in Mykolaiv, where he worked as an Assistant Chief Security. 

He was engaged in his favourite sport - Kyokushin karate. He participated in competitions at various levels and was a member of the regional Federation team. He competed in the championship in Italy and had a brown belt. He collected miniature cars, coins and stamps.

When the Russian-Ukrainian war broke out in 2014, he joined the Armed Forces. He was wounded. During his treatment, he met his future wife, Natalia. In 2019, he moved to her hometown of Volnovakha, Donetsk region. There he served in an ambulance crew.

Two days before the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr's contract was due to expire, but he decided to stay. On February 24, 2022, the man continued to serve as a combat medic with the 24th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after King Danylo.

"He was cheerful, loved to travel, read a lot, and was fond of science fiction. He never lost his spirit. He was the whole world to me," said his wife, Natalia.

Combat medic Dmytro Byts died on May 7, 2022, during the defence of the Luhansk region. He was fatally wounded near the village of Bilohorivka due to a Russian air strike. The defender would have turned 21 in June.

Dmytro was born in the village of Sytne, Rivne region. He graduated from Chortkiv Medical Vocational College. In his spare time, he loved to play football. After graduating in 2020, he joined the military under contract.

During the full-scale Russian invasion, he was a combat medic in the 10th separate mountain assault brigade. He participated in humanitarian missions and helped evacuate residents from the war zone.

In 2022, soldier Byts became a holder of the Order for Courage, receiving the latter posthumously.

"Dima was the best and most loyal friend, a good son, a support to his brothers and sisters, a worthy role model. He was always supportive with advice or a joke, always positive. Not a day goes by when I don't remember our carefree school days when we could never have imagined that there would be a war and Dima would give his life for our peaceful future," said friend and classmate Andrii Koval.