55-year-old Oleksandr Metlyakov was killed in Mariupol, Donetsk region, together with his wife Svitlana.
On March 16, 2022, they were cooking food in the entrance of their apartment building on Myru Avenue, in the central district, when shelling began.
“The last time I saw my mom and dad was on March 13. After that, I had to stay in a shelter with my son. I learned about their deaths in April from neighbors. I found my father’s body when I was leaving the city, but no one ever gave it to me. I never found my mother’s body. Many other people were also killed in that entrance,” said their daughter, Karina Kiryakova.
Oleksandr Metlyakov was born on March 23, 1966, in Mariupol. A military serviceman, he was a combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan.
“They were the best parents. I truly hope that one day I will be able to visit their grave,” Karina Kiryakova added.
Oleksandr Metlyakov is survived by his daughter and grandson.
At 9:00 a.m. — a nationwide moment of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Memorial platform Killed by Russia commemorate the residents of Donetsk region killed by Russia.