Senior Lieutenant Andrii Hryniuk, call sign FREGAT, was killed on September 13, 2024, while carrying out a combat mission in Kherson Oblast. He was 59 years old.
Andrii was born on July 16, 1965, in Krasnohorivka. He obtained a higher degree in economics from the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.” In recent years, he worked as Deputy Director of the municipal enterprise “Ecoservice.” He spent his free time with his family, loved traveling, read a great deal, and was interested in weapons.
When the war began in 2014, Andrii joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2015, he took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) as a special reconnaissance operator in the Special Operations Forces, during which he was wounded. After demobilization, he worked on projects related to the development and production of weapons and ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
With the start of the full-scale invasion, Andrii rejoined the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served as a group commander. As a military intelligence officer, he carried out dozens of successful operations and combat missions both along the line of contact and deep in enemy territory.
“Andrii embodied a real man — brave, open, fair, a loving husband and father. Despite all the trials he went through since the beginning of the ATO, he remained caring and gentle. He lived for others, sacrificed his own interests and himself for his brothers-in-arms and for victory. Always smiling, with tired eyes. His favorite phrase was: ‘My love, we do everything against all odds! Victory will be ours.’ Our home was always filled with flowers without reason, coffee in bed, and love. His loss is impossible to fill. I love you,” his wife Olena wrote.
The defender was awarded the badge “For Participation in the ATO,” the medal “For Wounds,” and the badge “Veteran of War.” Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class.
The warrior was cremated. His ashes will be buried in Kherson Oblast after the region is de-occupied.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, children from a previous marriage, and a sister.
At 9:00 a.m. — the nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Heroes Memorial platform honor the fallen defenders from Donetsk Oblast.