He had so many plans and unrealized dreams. Ballroom dance choreographer Ivan Nalyvaiko from Poltava gave his life for Ukraine and its future.
He was born on October 15, 1997. As a child, he asked his mother to find for him a dancing club for joining it. He danced in the «Grace» sports ballroom dance ensemble, studied to be a choreographer at Poltava Pedagogical University and was an active member of the Poltava region’s dance community. After his student years, he began teaching young children to dance.
On February 25, 2022, on the second day of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ivan voluntarily decided to defend Ukraine. He served in the 116th Territorial Defense Brigade. He selflessly fought in Kharkiv, Sumy, and near Bakhmut, for which he received the «Golden Cross» award in May 2023. But, unfortunately, 5 days before his 26th birthday on October 10, 2023, the Russian occupiers ended Ivan Nalyvaiko’s life… The Hero’s beloved wife was waiting for him…