Senior Sergeant Oleksii Pozhyra was killed on March 23, 2022, during a firefight with the enemy in Mariupol. He was 29 years old.
Oleksii was born in the city of Mariupol. He was trained as a lawyer and earned a bachelor’s degree from Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs. In 2011–2012, he completed his compulsory military service. After that, he dedicated his career to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, working in the National Police of Ukraine until 2019. Later, he joined the National Guard of Ukraine and took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in Donetsk region.
In 2021, Oleksii married his beloved Dariia. The young family was making plans for the future, dreaming of children and travel. In February 2022, Dariia gave birth to their son Platon, whom Oleksii saw only three times.
Oleksii aspired to become an instructor and train the younger generation in military affairs. He completed training and advanced qualification courses and obtained the desired position just a month before the full-scale invasion. At the front, he served in the 12th Operational Brigade named after Dmytro Vyshnevetskyi within the National Guard of Ukraine. He was granted the status of a combatant and war veteran and received certificates and diplomas from the NGU leadership.
“My brother was a great patriot of his country — brave, courageous, and strong. He was an example of love for life and determination, a person who would always help, support, listen, and inspire with his optimism. A person who achieved his goals. He honorably fulfilled his duty to defend his state and remained faithful to his oath, the Ukrainian people, and Ukraine until his last breath,” said his sister Svitlana.
He was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd class.
Oleksii was laid to rest at Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv.
He is survived by his wife Dariia, son Platon, parents Pavlo and Larysa, and sister Svitlana.
At 9:00 a.m., a nationwide minute of silence is observed. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Memorial of Heroes platform honor residents of Donetsk region killed by Russian forces.