Staff Sergeant Ihor Olkhovych, Senior Technician of the Mortar Battery of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great, known to his comrades by the call sign “Beaver,” gave his life for Ukraine on July 23, 2023, while performing a combat mission near the village of Ivanivka in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region.
Born in 1973 in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ihor grew up strong, persistent, and kind-hearted. He practiced freestyle wrestling and boxing, became a multiple prize-winner of regional and national championships, and earned the title of Candidate for Master of Sports in freestyle wrestling. His athletic endurance, fighting spirit, and unshakable belief in victory later became invaluable on the battlefield.
After completing his mandatory military service from 1991 to 1993, where he served as a mortarman, Ihor worked in various fields — at the agricultural enterprise “Zoria,” in private business, and in the municipal services of Kalush. A hardworking and responsible man, he valued discipline, honesty, and dedication. In 2002, he founded his own company, proving himself to be an enterprising and conscientious leader.
When the enemy first invaded Ukrainian soil in 2015, Ihor once again joined the army and completed a combat training course for missile and artillery specialists. During those years, he met the love of his life — Maryna, whom he soon married. Together they dreamed of adopting a child orphaned by the war, as Ihor’s heart ached for those little ones who had lost their parents to the fighting.
In 2017, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and fought as part of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade in the Donbas. Later, he served as Senior Technician of the Mortar Battery of the 3rd Mechanized Battalion, military unit A1008. He defended the country near Krymske in the Luhansk region, and with the onset of the full-scale invasion, continued his service in the Kharkiv region. His combat experience, precision, and composure as a mortarman repeatedly saved the lives of his comrades, who remember him as a brave warrior — one who always found the right words of support even in the darkest moments.
For his service and courage, Ihor Olkhovych was awarded the medals “Participant of the Anti-Terrorist Operation,” “For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation,” the honorary badge “Distinction of the Commander of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great,” and the medal “To the Unbreakable Heroes of the Russian-Ukrainian War.”
Faithful to his military oath, the Hero fell on July 23, 2023, as a result of enemy shelling in the Kharkiv region while fulfilling his combat mission to defend Ukraine’s independence.
On July 27, 2023, he was laid to rest at the Alley of Glory in Kalush City Cemetery. By decision of the Kalush City Council, Ihor Olkhovych was posthumously awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of the Kalush Territorial Community.”
Eternal memory and deepest reverence to the Defender of Ukraine.