An athlete, a warrior, a defender of Ukraine’s freedom and Independence, he lived a life defined by movement, strength, integrity, and unwavering devotion to his homeland.
Oleksandr Hruzin was born on 30 January 1978 in Ivano-Frankivsk, into a military family. He studied at School No. 3 and later chose the path of sport, graduating from the College of Physical Education and Sport. He played for amateur teams in Ivano-Frankivsk and the region, always leading the game with his heart.
After completing his military service, fate brought him to another front — the civic one. During the Orange Revolution, he stood on the Maidan, defending Independence with the same honesty and courage with which he fought on football fields.
In 2014, when Russia launched its aggression, Oleksandr joined the ranks of Ukraine’s defenders. His combat path began on 29 August in Luhansk region, where he passed through many flashpoints: Shchastia, Staryi Aidar, Stanytsia Luhanska. He received a wound that left a permanent mark — a disability. But it did not break the Warrior.
When Russian terrorists launched the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, Oleksandr returned to the ranks the very next day — this time with his native 80th Air Assault Brigade and the newly formed 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, one of those born in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
He fought the enemy in Mykolaiv, Kherson, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions. His path ran through the fiercest points — Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar, Berestove, Borodychne — places where every meter of land is soaked with the blood of Ukrainian heroes.
Oleksandr was more than a warrior. He was a man of great soul — sincere, kind, and open-hearted. He loved quiet mornings with a fishing rod, knew every hidden mushroom path in the Carpathian foothills, and could warm an evening with his guitar and song.
On 9 September 2024, in the intensive care unit of an Ivano-Frankivsk hospital, after a severe illness born of war and years of struggle, Oleksandr Hruzin passed into eternity. A strong heart, loyal to Ukraine and unafraid to give itself for others, fell silent.
Eternal memory to the Hero.