45-year-old Private Oleksandr Zahoruyko was wounded during the defense of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. He underwent surgery, but was later taken prisoner by the occupiers. On May 13, 2022, he was tortured to death in Donetsk.
Oleksandr was born and lived in Mariupol. There, he graduated from Local Vocational School No. 74 with a degree in welding. He worked in his field at the Illich Iron and Steel Works and was a skilled specialist. He devoted his free time to his family and was also an avid fisherman.
In April 2021, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served as a combat engineer in the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. From the very first days of the full-scale invasion, he defended his hometown alongside his brothers-in-arms.
"Sasha was a very kind person with a strong spirit. He had a great sense of humor. He raised our children with a balance of strictness and kindness, supporting them in all their endeavors. I could always rely on him. Sasha was a real man. Very strong and intelligent. A good and reliable friend, he always came to everyone's aid. A wonderful son and father," shared his wife, Liliia.
Oleksandr's body was cremated.
He is survived by his wife, four children, relatives, friends, and brothers-in-arms.
At 9:00 AM — the national minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Heroes' Memorial platform honor the fallen defenders from Donetsk Oblast.