On June 26, 2022, while carrying out a combat mission and rescuing a wounded comrade, Sergeant Oleksandr Malofeyev, call sign “Hobbit,” was killed near the village of Mazanivka in Donetsk Oblast.
Oleksandr was born in the city of Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. He dedicated his life to sports and military service. He graduated from a physical education college and, in 2016, earned a degree in psychology from Berdyansk Pedagogical University.
From the age of 15, he trained professionally in Kyokushin Karate-Do, earning a black belt (1st dan) and winning numerous competitions. He worked as a coach-mentor and was part of the leadership of the Busin-kan sports club, where he trained young athletes, shaping a new generation of champions.
In 2014, Oleksandr volunteered to defend Ukraine, serving in the 25th Separate Airborne Sicheslav Brigade. He fought in the battles in Donbas and defended the city of Shchastia in Luhansk Oblast. Despite sustaining severe injuries, he repeatedly returned to the front lines. For his bravery, he was awarded the For Military Valor badge.
At the onset of the full-scale invasion, he did not hesitate to take up arms again, fighting in the most intense hotspots, including the defense of Avdiivka. His comrades remember him as dedicated, determined, and unbreakable. “He was always on the front lines and never wavered in his belief in our victory,” they say.
Oleksandr’s wife recalls that he had dreamed of becoming a professional soldier since childhood. He read extensively, studied history and military strategy, and collected knives. He also sought to pass on his knowledge and skills to his son.
Oleksandr is survived by his wife Oksana, son Artem, daughter Alisa, and sister Aliona.
A farewell ceremony for the Hero was held on July 1, 2022, at the Cossack Church of the Holy Protection (OCU) in Kamianske. He was laid to rest in the Alley of Heroes at the military cemetery. One of the streets in his hometown was named in his honor.