War takes the best: in Mykolaiv they bid farewell to three Heroes

Recently in the Inhulskyi district of the city of Mykolaiv a commemorative event was held in honor of the fallen Defenders of Ukraine — Staff Sergeant Oleg Sotnikov, Junior Sergeant Viktor Andryushaev and Senior Soldier Vitalii Kuybida. After a nationwide minute of silence the event was opened by the deputy head of the administration Natalia Adubetska.

“Heroes do not die — they remain with us forever in memory and in our ranks.”

Orders for posthumous awards were read by the head of the civil-military cooperation section of the Inhulskyi District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support in the city of Mykolaiv, Major Andriy Berezhnyi. State awards were presented to the relatives of the fallen servicemen. In particular, the Order “For Courage” III class, the “Hero’s Cross” and the breast badge “Golden Cross” of Viktor Andryushaev were received by his wife Valentina. The Order “For Courage” III class of Oleg Sotnikov was presented to his son Mark in the presence of his mother Iryna Sotnikova. The Order “For Courage” II class of Vitalii Kuybida was handed to his sister Olena.

“Each state award of a Defender was received by a close family member.”

The ceremony lasted only a few minutes, but for the families those were minutes filled with memories of the whole lives of their dearest ones.

Viktor Andryushaev, call sign “Vorchun”, was born in Mishkovo-Pohorilove. Before the full-scale war he worked as a diver at the enterprise “Nibulon”. In March 2022 he joined the armed forces. He served as a machine gunner in a counter-sabotage company, and later as part of the 123rd Mykolaiv Territorial Defense Brigade and the 46th Separate Airmobile Podilska Brigade of the Air Assault Forces. On 7 August 2025 he was wounded during the defense of the Dnipropetrovsk region. After two months of doctors fighting for his life, on 2 October 2025 he died.

Oleg Sotnikov, call sign “Tuharyn”, was born in Kherson. At 18 years old he became a cadet at the 191st Training Center of the Ukrainian Navy. Since 2015 he served under contract in the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi, and later at the 241st Marine Training Center. He died on 31 October 2025. He is survived by his wife Iryna and son Mark.

Vitalii Kuybida, call sign “Dobryi”, was from Kherson. After school he studied in the Mykolaiv region, after which he entered contract service with the 79th Separate Air Assault Tavria Brigade. He served as a senior scout. He was killed on 13 August 2022. Comrades remember him as a sincere and kind person.

The memory of the fallen Defenders is not only pain, but also the responsibility of the living. They gave their lives for Ukraine, for the future of their children and for all of us. That is why society must not only remember, but also support their families and continue the struggle for which they gave the most precious.

Reminder: previously we wrote:

• The city is collecting stories of the fallen: memory video sequences launched on trolleybuses and residents are asked to send information and photos
• 24 February 2026. The pain again: Mykolaiv honored the fallen on the 4th anniversary of the invasion
• Helped hold the front: in Mykolaiv ‘For the Defense of the City’ medals were presented
• Mykolaiv without its heroes: the fallen in the war were honored at the Alley of Glory
• In Mykolaiv hundreds of people ran through the streets with the names of fallen Heroes on their chests