Twenty-seven-year-old soldier Mykola Kazilin was killed on March 8, 2022, during the defense of Mariupol. At one of the checkpoints, he engaged the enemy on the approaches to his hometown. The defender’s life was cut short by Russian shelling.
Mykola was born and raised in Mariupol. He studied at School No. 28 and trained as a welder. From a young age, he was passionate about sports and worked out at home with a barbell.
In 2014, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operation (ATO/JFO). He served in Mariupol with a radio engineering brigade and, in 2018, defended the town of Zolote in the Luhansk region. After completing his service, he worked as a welder at the Illich Iron and Steel Works. He dreamed of owning a home, starting a family, and having children.
On February 25, 2022, Mykola once again took up arms and joined the defense of Mariupol as a member of the 109th Territorial Defense Brigade.
His mother remembers him as a man who loved life — brave, fair, kind, cheerful, and always ready to help others. He loved animals and took gentle care of the family’s pet parrots.
Mykola is survived by his mother, relatives, friends, and brothers-in-arms.
At 9:00 a.m., Ukraine observes a nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional State Administration and the Memorial platform honor the fallen defenders of Donetsk region.