Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Tovstonoh, call sign Liudoid (“Cannibal”), was killed on October 11, 2022, near the city of Siversk in the Donetsk region while disposing of unexploded ordnance from an enemy shell. The serviceman managed to move the munitions to a safe distance, but one of the shells detonated.
Oleksandr was 30 years old. He earned a qualification as a lathe operator from Mariupol Higher Metallurgical Vocational School No. 99. Since childhood, he had practiced martial arts, and during his student years he developed a passion for air rifle shooting and participated in competitions. He loved fishing and adored animals. In civilian life, he worked at the Illich Iron and Steel Works and Azovstal Steel Plant. In recent years, he lived in the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region.
He devoted six years of his life to military service. On the front line, he served as commander of an engineer-sapper company of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Ivan Mazepa. He was awarded the Medal “For Military Service to Ukraine,” the badges “For Exemplary Service” and “Cross of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade,” as well as the distinction “For Demining.” Posthumously, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.
“My brother was exceptional. Sincere, kind, and caring, he always worried about his loved ones. When the full-scale invasion began, he strongly urged us to leave Mariupol and get as far away as possible because he understood the danger approaching our hometown. I miss him terribly. He loved what he did. He was a Level One demining specialist, responsible for dozens of damaged and destroyed enemy vehicles and thousands of cleared explosive devices,” said Kateryna Tovstonoh.
Oleksandr was laid to rest at the Alley of Heroes at Sukhyi Yar Cemetery in Bila Tserkva.
He is survived by his wife, sons, mother, and sister.
At 9:00 a.m., Ukraine observes a nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Memorial of Heroes platform honor the fallen defenders of the Donetsk region.