In the first year of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Oleksandr Mitiagin—a warrior, athlete, and patriot—fell in battle in Donetsk region. He gave his life for Ukraine near Novoazovsk, courageously resisting the professional Russian military.
Oleksandr was born in the city of Novomoskovsk (now Samara), Dnipropetrovsk region. He studied at Secondary School No. 18 and completed his mandatory service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Choosing a path of public service, he worked in law enforcement before becoming a security courier at PrivatBank.
Sports were an inseparable part of his life. Passionate about powerlifting, he became a European champion in bench press and held the title of Master of Sports of Ukraine. From 2007 to 2011, he trained at the Bypass club in Samara and was also involved in parachuting at the youth airborne club “Batya.” In his hometown, he restored a gym, helping young athletes reach new heights.
With the outbreak of war, he joined Ukraine’s defenders. As a junior sergeant in the “Dnipro-1” special police battalion, he carried out combat missions with unwavering dedication. On August 28, 2014, his reconnaissance unit encountered an advanced detachment of the Russian army near the village of Markyne, close to Novoazovsk in Donetsk region. After the battle, Oleksandr was not found among the wounded or fallen. For a long time, he was listed as missing in action until DNA analysis confirmed his identity among the deceased. On August 17, 2015, he was laid to rest in his hometown.
For his bravery, Oleksandr Mitiagin was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage, Third Class (Presidential Decree No. 622/2015, November 3, 2015). A street in Samara now bears his name, and the Novomoskovsk City Council granted him the title of Honorary Citizen of Novomoskovsk.
The bright memory of Oleksandr Mitiagin will forever live in our hearts. He was not only an athlete and a warrior but a man of honor who fought for his country’s freedom until his last breath.
Eternal glory to the Hero!