Heroes do not die: Oleksandr Dereniuk

"I'm going to defend you, my family. If everyone hides, the enemy will come here," Oleksandr Dereniuk told his wife.

Intent continues the series of publications about the fallen defenders"Heroes do not die".

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PHOTO provided by Oleksandr Dereniuk's wife

Oleksandr Derenyuk fought alongside his comrades from the 172nd separate battalion of the 120th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On May 10, 2024, near Starytsia in the Kharkiv region, he met the enemy as true defenders do. With precision fire, he restrained the enemy's advance and covered the flank of the unit. Fatal wounds from a mortar attack on May 12 ended Oleksandr's life. But his courage became part of the legendary resistance of the Ukrainian people.

That is why it is so important for us to hear from the warrior's family and friends who still cherish fond memories of Oleksandr.

PHOTO courtesy of Oleksandr Derenyuk's wife

"A phone call on the morning of February 24, 2022, divided the family's life into "before" and "after," his wife Liudmyla Vasylivna recalls. "Oleksandr went out on the veranda to talk, and when he returned, he said his usual, slightly joking words: "Vasylivna, the war has begun."

He said then: "I am going to defend you, my family. I cannot do otherwise."

PHOTO courtesy of Oleksandr Dereniuk's wife

He and Vasylivna met in the field: he was a tractor driver and she was a seasonal worker. They lived together for 22 and a half years. "He was handsome, but he won me over with his character," Liudmyla smiles.

In 2006, their daughter Karina was born, "his eyes and heart." She is a second-year student at Ternopil Medical University, majoring in emergency medicine. In 2012, his son Rostyslav was born - his mother's character, his father's kindness.

PHOTO courtesy of Oleksandr Dereniuk's wife

In his civilian life, Oleksandr was a man of action: he worked as a tractor driver, then as a mechanic, and later as a foreman.

From the front, he would say only one thing: "I'm fine," so as not to disturb his family.

PHOTO courtesy of Oleksandr Dereniuk's wife

On January 1, 2024, the family accompanied Oleksandr back to his unit. He took one last photo with Karina.

PHOTO courtesy of Oleksandr Dereniuk's wife

"He protected our family - but not only our family. He was protecting other families, other homes, the whole country," Liudmyla says.

Oleksandr's family knows pain, but they also know pride. Because Oleksandr's death is not a loss of meaning, but a proof of his immortal place among those who made Ukraine stand.

Антон Терехов