Soldier Andrii Shyrokov, call sign “Family Man,” was killed on December 18, 2016, during a battle at the Svitlodarsk Bulge as a result of enemy artillery shelling. He was 46 years old.
Andrii was born in the city of Myrnohrad. From the age of 12, he lived in the city of Dnipro. He graduated from a railway college and worked as a long-haul truck driver and a construction worker. He loved his home and could repair and build many things with his own hands.
From 2014, he defended Ukraine as part of the Volunteer Ukrainian Corps “Right Sector.” In 2016, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and continued fighting in the ranks of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade, where he served as a sniper.
For his service, Andrii received a number of awards, including the badge “For the Defense of Donetsk Airport,” the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class (posthumously), the Volunteer Ukrainian Corps “Right Sector” award “Combat Cross of the Corps” (posthumously), and the distinction “People’s Hero of Ukraine” (posthumously).
The defender was laid to rest in the village of Yasne, Dnipropetrovsk region.
At home, Andrii was survived by his wife and five children.
At 9:00 a.m. — the nationwide Minute of Silence.