Soldier Mykola Harkavyi, call sign “Leshyi,” was killed on March 8, 2024, near the village of Tonenke. While carrying out a combat mission, the warrior sustained injuries incompatible with life. The defender was 33 years old.
Mykola was originally from Donetsk Oblast and lived in the city of Rodynske. He received higher education at the Cherkasy Institute of Fire Safety named after Chornobyl Heroes, majoring in Fire Safety. He served in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the 9th State Fire and Rescue Unit of the 51st State Fire and Rescue Station, where he was a squad commander.
Mykola took part in the War in Donbas. During the full-scale war, in 2023, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He defended the country as a sapper in the engineering support group of the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Volodymyr Monomakh.
For his service, Soldier Mykola Harkavyi received the Presidential award “For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation,” the “Golden Cross” badge, and numerous certificates of appreciation.
His wife, Kristina, recalled:
“Mykola was a brave and responsible man. While working in the emergency service, he carried out his duties clearly and selflessly, saving the lives of people and animals. He was respected among the personnel.
But with the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he could not stop thinking about joining a sapper unit, which I tried to prevent. Eventually, he left the fire station and joined the Armed Forces… where he also built strong bonds with his brothers-in-arms.
Every deployment was very difficult for me, full of worry. Every morning I waited for a message or the sign ‘++’. But on March 8, instead of a message, I received that terrible phone call.
Our children were waiting for him at home, and to this day they still wait and miss their father.”
The defender was laid to rest in the city of Dnipro at Krasnopilske Cemetery.
Mykola is survived by his wife, three minor children, and his father.
At 9:00 a.m. — the nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration together with the Memorial Platform of Heroes honors the fallen defenders from Donetsk region.