In the Velyki Mosty community they remember Volodymyr Kolyada from the village of Reklynets, who gave his life for Ukraine. Four years ago, on 9 November 2022, he was killed in Donetsk region while carrying out a combat mission.
Kolyada Volodymyr Mykhailovych was born on 21 July 1989 in Reklynets. In January 2014 he joined the Revolution of Dignity, was a member of the 10th Self-Defence Hundred of the Maidan, where he received the callsign “Zhyvchyk”.
In August 2014 Volodymyr voluntarily joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 90th Separate Airmobile Battalion, took part in battles in Donetsk region, in particular for Donetsk airport, and was one of the defenders who became known as “cyborgs”. On 20 March 2015, near the village of Vodiane, he sustained severe wounds while carrying out a combat mission.
After periods of service and returning to civilian life, Volodymyr once again took up the defence of the state. In April 2022 he was mobilised into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where he served as a reconnaissance soldier. Senior reconnaissance soldier, sniper of the reconnaissance company of military unit A4599, Volodymyr Kolyada, callsign “Zhyvchyk”, was killed on 9 November 2022 during a combat mission near the settlement of Terny in Donetsk region.
For personal courage, bravery and selfless service to the Ukrainian people, Volodymyr Kolyada was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage” 3rd Class. He was also decorated with a number of state and military awards, and the Velyki Mosty territorial community conferred upon him the honorary title of “Hero of the Velyki Mosty Territorial Community”.
The life of Volodymyr Kolyada became an example of resilience and a deep sense of responsibility towards the state: he went through the Maidan, the battles for Donetsk airport, difficult episodes at the front and injury, yet each time he returned to the ranks, considering the defence of Ukraine to be his duty.
Four years have passed since the day of his death, yet the memory of this defender’s courage and sacrifice remains alive among his family, comrades-in-arms and the residents of the Velyki Mosty community.