Defender Oleksandr Ishchenko was tortured to death in Russian captivity on July 22, 2024. A forensic medical examination established that the cause of death was “a closed blunt chest injury resulting from contact with a blunt object.” He was 55 years old.
Oleksandr was born in Mariupol. He studied at School No. 33 and later at Vocational School No. 4, training as a tractor operator. After serving in the army, he worked together with his father at the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant. However, from childhood he dreamed of the sea, so in 2000 he graduated from a maritime academy and soon set off on his first voyage. He worked as an engine room motorman.
“From then on, my husband’s life was connected with the sea — it was the calling of his soul. He was proud to have visited every corner of the globe. Over 27 years of work in the fleet, he was repeatedly awarded certificates of honor and letters of gratitude, including an award for saving a vessel,” his wife Alona recalled. She and Oleksandr were together for 34 years. They met when they were both 16, on the Mariupol beach ‘Pishchanka’. She remembers that in his free time he enjoyed fishing and collecting stamps.
In 2015–2016, Oleksandr took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation as a member of the 128th Separate Zakarpattia Mountain Assault Brigade.
On February 17, 2022, he returned from another voyage, and already on February 27 he voluntarily joined the local Territorial Defense, later being transferred to the Azov Regiment. He served as a driver in the unit. During the fighting, he suffered a severe concussion.
In May, he left Azovstal and was taken prisoner. For 13 months, he and his comrades were held in the Donetsk pre-trial detention center. In July 2023, they were transferred to a detention center in Rostov-on-Don.
“There they were sentenced. And then came another 13 months of brutal torture. Oleksandr was courageous, could not tolerate injustice, did not want to submit, and refused to betray his country. We had the opportunity to correspond; he wrote only in Ukrainian and was not afraid of beatings. He wrote that he would do the same again, that he would go again to defend his land, because he sincerely loves his country,” his wife said.
For 26 months, the family fought for his freedom.
On July 22, 2024, Oleksandr Ishchenko was tortured to death in Russian dungeons. He had fractures of almost all his ribs, a punctured chest cavity, and died from pain shock.
“Oleksandr was an exceptionally kind, compassionate, and sincere person. His heart was always open to helping others; even in captivity, he would not allow the weak to be offended and stood up for women. He dreamed of building a farm and feeding people with quality products… He adored his daughter. And he loved his city very much. When he returned from voyages, we walked the streets of Mariupol every day, by our Azov Sea,” Alona said.
The family brought the Hero’s body back to Ukraine on their own. He was laid to rest at the Alley of Glory of the Krasnopilske Cemetery in Dnipro.
Oleksandr is survived by his beloved wife, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters.
At 9:00 a.m. — the nationwide moment of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Heroes Memorial platform honor the fallen defenders of Donetsk region.