Senior Private Oleksiy Hula was born on May 17, 1989, in the town of Khrestivka, Horlivka District. After graduating from the local School No. 4, he enrolled in a vocational high school in Shakhtarsk, where he trained as a pastry chef. He then moved to Kyiv and worked in his field.
Later, he worked abroad, and upon his return, he worked at one of the mines in the Donetsk region. In 2014, he moved to the city of Sumy, where he took a job as a sales floor supervisor at “Magazin 218” LLC. In his free time, he enjoyed cycling, music, and photography.
Oleksiy participated in the ATO. On May 25, 2020, he signed a contract and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Cossacks. He served as a mechanic-driver in the 1st Self-Propelled Artillery Battery of the 2nd Self-Propelled Artillery Division.
He faced the full-scale invasion in the Kyiv region. He defended Bucha, Irpin, and Moshchun. He underwent military training abroad. He took part in the battles for Vuhledar in the Donetsk region. During his service, Oleksiy repeatedly received commendations and certificates of appreciation from the command of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Cossacks.
“Lesha believed in victory and used to say, ‘Wait just a little longer, and I’ll be back for good.’ He was a truly courageous man—loving, reliable, kind, sweet, polite, sensitive, caring, and the best in the entire universe. He dreamed of a home of his own, a life together, children, and a strong, happy, healthy family. My joy, my soul—I miss you so much.... I love you across the worlds!” wrote his girlfriend, Taisiya.
Oleksiy died on June 6, 2023, at a hospital in Kurakhove from multiple shrapnel wounds sustained as a result of an enemy “Lancet”-type UAV strike on a firing position in the village of Bohoyavlenka, Volnovakha District. The defender was 34 years old.
“Lesha was a wonderful young man who was always happy to help anyone. He was part of our family—he was more than just a godfather. He became the best godfather to Artem and loved him dearly. The memory of Oleksiy will live on forever in our hearts and minds,” wrote the fallen soldier’s godparents, the Gavrilchenko family.
The defender was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class, and was also granted the title of “Honorary Citizen of the City of Sumy.”
Oleksiy was buried in the Walk of Fame at the Novo-Central Baranivsky Cemetery in Sumy.
He is survived by his mother Galina, his girlfriend Taisiya, his godson Artem, his godparents Anna and Serhiy, and his friends and acquaintances.
At 9:00 a.m., a nationwide minute of silence will be observed. The Donetsk Regional State Administration and the “Memorial to Heroes” platform are honoring the fallen defenders from the Donetsk region.