You could meet Ivan in the best Kiev bars. He loved to guess the tastes of his guests and surprise with his own original twists on classic cocktails. And with those who stayed at the bar longer, he discussed jazz, art and art-house cinema. When the full-scale invasion began, Ivan remained in Kiev. He categorically refused to leave for the west of the country. Instead, he delivered food and medicine to elderly neighbors. Ivan was never outspoken, but always impressed with his principled character. He often said that two things were unacceptable for him: to take up arms and to live in fear. He was well aware that he could be summoned, but he never hid. Every day I went to my favorite job through half the city.

The first thing he said, after receiving the summons: “I will serve.” Ivan decided to fight in the infantry. He considered this most difficult and dangerous way of confronting the enemy the only acceptable for himself. On the night of July 25, during the exit from the positions, Ivan's brother was wounded. Ivan tried to evacuate him. At this point, the drone dropped explosives on them. The bodies of Ivan and his brothers still remain on the battlefield.

The callsign “Motive” Ivan chose for himself. Motive “like a melody or some theme that can be in different forms but still remains itself. And short of motivation.”

After the death of Stas, not a single day passed that I did not remember him. This is 495 days when empty pain rolls up at the most unexpected moment. This feeling is difficult to describe in words, but unfortunately there are many people who will understand it. I am grateful to fate for giving me such a friend, because otherwise I might never know that such high class people even exist. Stas was humane, uncompromising and valiant. There were no internal disagreements and doubts in him, for he was always honest with himself, and made this honesty his strength. He knew how to turn complex things into simple and sometimes funny things.

He knew how to live easily, and I think that's his temperament: it's either there or it's not. Stas had it. And he painted perfectly, and all the coffee cups that I left in the car, he painted. Fortunately, they stayed. I would never have thought that a regular paper cup could weigh so much.

Every time I'm scared and have to decide on something, I think of Stas. I know that he would definitely not be afraid and would have done it a hundred times already. And I just go and do.

You loved life. Sincerely, without restrictions, enjoyed every moment, rejoiced, was not afraid to be myself. You had incredible strength, the kindest heart and a bright mind. For me, you were and always will be the best. Every day next to you, every moment and every message will forever remain in my heart. You loved to make surprises, from which I sincerely and childishly rejoiced, and it was not about something expensive - it was the trinkets that made me happy. I am grateful for the love and for the moments you gave me. I miss you very much, both today and yesterday, always.

Sergey taught me to love and appreciate, not to look back and not to regret the past. He always said that he was my wall and support, and that he would always be near. And if life decides otherwise, then when it becomes unbearably difficult, you need to remember everything that was, and this will give strength. And so it is — these memories always give me the impetus to move forward. It was he who taught me to live this life, not just survive. Forever my Chester.

If I now gathered everyone who met Oleg on my way, no one would be able to remember a case where he was unfair, hurt or hurt. Oleg seemed to collect this world in his palms: warming those who were cold, and blowing on those who suffered from the heat. He was a football talent. On the page of his hometown club “Volynka”, Oleg's name is still mentioned in almost every post — from goal scoring to the title of the best scorer of the season. He was a great joker and knew how to find an approach to everyone. From the trenches, he wrote to friends something like: “How is your depression? Are you being treated?” The whole world lived in it. And the Russians killed him.

The world, in spite of everything, is kind to those who, even with the cold in their palms, are looking for ways to warm it. There is a lot of evil in the world, it penetrates into every twine. But what matters is not how similar you are to evil, but how much good there is in you to resist it. The world did not have our Harry Potter without glasses and with the scars of mortar fire, but his embrace was preserved and eternal: “I hope we are not lost.”

When Coach was next to us on assignments, and this happened almost constantly, I always knew I was safe. He was so capable and trained in military affairs that his words were beyond doubt, and all decisions and instructions were accurate and correct. It was called the “walking military encyclopedia” — he was approached for advice, and he always had an answer. I saw him make decisions, with what responsibility he approached planning. I felt how deeply he experienced the loss of his people. His motivation and energy inspired everyone around him to make an effort, to learn, to develop — he showed this by his example. He always remembers me smiling, cheerful, easy to communicate. He knew how to switch, discard all the negativity and keep moving forward.

He taught me to understand my role: to be a support for loved ones and ready to sacrifice for the sake of my people.

We met as teenagers, when Arthur had just moved to Kiev, and met in the company of mutual friends. One day we were walking late, I was already very late for home, and Dad was furious. Arthur took my phone and said: “Andrei Viktorovich, I promise that I will bring your daughter home.” And, as you think, brought. He was always responsible, caring and very empathetic. Dad knew this, and always allowed me to walk with Arthur at least until the morning.

We were friends as best we could, went through all the teenage turbulence together, supported each other in love and separation. In recent years we have not been very close, but each time we have met with the same joy as in childhood.

His motto was: “Always be positive!” He always told me that everything would be fine, even when it seemed that there was no way out and everything was gone.

I always remembered him as a fun and very funny friend of my uncle who always looked at everything positively. Over the years, I began to wonder at him more and more, because I could not imagine that a person could have such a positive view of everything that happens around.

He taught me to see life through a positive lens and laugh at what you can't change. Because it's about your attitude to situations.

I met Christopher in April 2022. He responded to a request to help carry me and my friend, a foreign blogger and volunteer, across the Kiev region to document the traces of the war. Unlike many foreigners who came to Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in search of glory, Christopher did not seek recognition, did not sit in the coffee shops of Lviv — he was already rushing to the front to evacuate people. His courage was incredible, and I tried to understand why a young Briton was willing to risk his life for Ukraine.

In almost a year, Christopher and his volunteer friends evacuated more than 400 people from the contact line. On January 6, he and his friend Andrew went to Soledar to rescue an old woman, but the city had already been taken over by the Wagnerians. Probably, they tortured and brutally killed the guys.

Chris showed that in order to do something important for a country, you don't have to be culturally or nationally tied to it.

We met with Kind at summer 2022. He was the commander of the assault platoon, and when he learned that a medic would come to him in the platoon, he did everything to introduce me to the fighters and provide everything I needed. He knew and knew everything that a military man could know and know. We tramped evacuation routes together, and he taught me how to shoot stretch marks, detect mines, and remain unnoticed even when the enemy is watching from the other end of the field. And the main thing is to be a person, even in the rear, even in the trench. Everyone who was next to Good became best friends for each other, for his he was both a father and a friend. The good has always been where no one else has been, and always the first. It did not happen in Soledar in early 2023, where together we repelled the enemy's offensive.

He taught me that relationships and caring are the foundation of service, and it always works both ways.

We met at work. Immediately it was seen that he is responsible, strong in spirit, able to achieve his goals, and most importantly - humane! We worked side by side for a little less than a year, but during that time he became an example for me. With the beginning of a full-scale invasion, Gregory was immediately called upon to defend the country. How far he had advanced in a year in the military, and the kind of troops he fell into, only confirmed what a strong, resilient and responsible man he was.

Every day he is reminded of his cases that he made at work, because I stayed to work in the same place where we met. I still remember how surprised I was to learn that he came to IT from the field of professional sommelier. From sommelier — to tester, and then — to Defender of Ukraine.

Gregory taught me that it is never too late to change something, that every moment must be appreciated. And he proved that decency, humanity and willingness to help others still exist.

A strong friend of mine who never made me feel weak.

She taught me the understanding that all mortals, even fragile girls in the rank of high officers.

Fantastic noodles with pheasant, which Yariy cooked, will forever remain in memory. It was in the shattered village of Terny, Donetsk region. Yary the pheasant hunted the same morning, and in the evening we enjoyed his dish.

That day, Yariy showed that a person is able to create real comfort and comfort in any conditions, if he has the desire. It was incredibly inspiring, because we are Ukrainians. This is our hallmark.

A true warrior, defender and friend. The man on whom most of our faith was held. He was a strength and inspiration to all who knew him. The unchanging manager of Honey on Podil, a senior lieutenant at the NGU, and the same Dan who at Easter is the “peak of Easter and orcs”. Dan, who held the borders of our Independence.

Den “Hephaestus”, who was taken to him by his god. Dan, whose fire will forever remain in our hearts.

Den taught us to believe.