Major Oleksandr Suprunov, call sign “Husar,” was killed on May 8, 2022, in Mariupol.
That day, a Russian aircraft dropped an aerial bomb on the “Shop 20” bunker at the Azovstal steel plant. The warrior was 38 years old forever.
Oleksandr was born on March 14, 1984, in Donetsk. He graduated from School №95 and entered Donetsk National Technical University, majoring in “Mining of Mineral Deposits.” At the same time, he actively practiced sports, competing in taekwondo. During his third year of studies, he became a coach at one of Donetsk’s sports clubs.
In 2005, he earned a specialist degree in Mining Engineering. After completing military training, he became a reserve officer. Since 2009, he served in the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk region.
“We studied together at the university, though in different faculties, back in 2000. At first, we were just friends, and in 2012 we met again and never parted. Our wedding was in January 2014, during the Maidan. Oleksandr was in the Trade Unions Building when it was on fire. He and his comrades managed to escape and return home to Donetsk. Soon after, our daughter was born. Oleksandr was the first to hold her in his arms as she was being carried down the corridor. She was crying so loudly that he immediately recognized her and said: ‘That’s my little bandit,’” his wife Yuliia recalled.
In the summer of 2014, as the situation in Donetsk worsened, the choice arose: stay under pro-Russian rule or remain loyal to Ukraine.
“There was no doubt—my husband chose Ukraine!” Yuliia said.
The family moved to Mariupol. Oleksandr continued his service, helping form the new special forces unit “A.” He also remained devoted to sports: a multiple regional champion in kickboxing and Muay Thai, winner of the Donbas K1 Professional Cup, champion of Ukraine in kickboxing, and champion of Ukraine in veterans’ taekwondo. Even injuries could not stop him from competing. He trained daily with weapons, constantly improving his pump-action shotgun. He also cared for children in Mariupol who faced hardships—providing money, food, and training.
During his life, Oleksandr was awarded a service firearm and the Presidential decoration “For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation.”
Yuliia and their daughter last saw Oleksandr on March 2, 2022, when he and comrades brought water. She barely recognized him in full gear.
“We waited for him on March 8. On his birthday, we dreamed he would come home. But he never did. We went through all the horrors of Mariupol. I decided to leave after a strike hit near us and we miraculously survived. When we were already in Zaporizhzhia, he called. He said it was impossible to escape anymore and asked me to find out if there would be help for them, because they were already struggling,” Yuliia said.
During Mariupol’s defense, Oleksandr held enemy lines near the seaport’s high-rise buildings. During a heavy shelling, he injured his leg while jumping from a second floor, tearing ligaments badly. Despite the injury, he fought for another five days until he could no longer walk and was transferred to a hospital at Azovstal.
“We met at the ‘Zaliziaka’ when ‘Husar’ was brought in with his leg injury. I came up, we talked. He told me his story, I told him mine, and we shook hands ‘on the veins,’ as warriors do. I remember Husar was upset that most of the men he had trained as special forces had left after the invasion began. He showed me his service weapon. We talked a little more, then he was taken to another bunker, where sadly Husar died. I only found out about this when I returned from captivity three years later,” said a fellow soldier with the call sign “Web.”
“I was grateful to meet such a strong man and professional. But fate is cruel—such brave and experienced warriors are often taken not in battle but in treacherous ways. For me, friend Husar became an example of what an officer of our army should be.”
At first, Oleksandr was considered missing in action. Searches brought no results, and the court officially declared him deceased. As of August 2025, his body has not been returned to the family.
“Oleksandr was the brightest person—cheerful, kind, brave! The best father one could dream of!” Yuliia said.
Posthumously, the defender was awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd class.
At home, his wife and daughter continue to wait for him.
At 9:00 — a nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Heroes’ Memorial platform honor the fallen defenders from Donetsk region.