Mykolaiv Zoo employee Ruslan Mashonin was killed while on a combat mission

While carrying out a combat mission to defend Ukraine, Mykolaiv Zoo employee Ruslan Mashonin was killed on October 4. The defender, who fought against Russian occupiers, was 42 years old.

Ruslan was conscripted into military service on April 16, 2023. He joined the defenders of Ukraine fighting for the country’s freedom and independence.

Ruslan Mashonin was born on June 28, 1984. He started working at Mykolaiv Zoo on May 7, 2021. During his time at the institution, he held the following positions:

• initially, an animal care worker in the domestic animals department;
• from April 1, 2023, a groundskeeper in the botanical and facilities department.

The staff of Mykolaiv Zoo expressed their condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, as well as to everyone who knew and loved Ruslan. The institution noted that words cannot express the pain of this irreparable loss.

“We will cherish the bright memory of our colleague, who stood up to defend his Motherland,” the Mykolaiv Zoo said.

“Eternal memory and honor to the Hero who gave his life for Ukraine,” the staff of Mykolaiv Zoo said in tribute.

We previously reported:

• Flowers and a minute of silence: Mykolaiv honors fallen defenders
• For now, only codes instead of names: 76 unknown defenders buried in Mykolaiv
• Mykolaiv volunteer Stepan Okhota, an employee of Mykolaivvodokanal, killed in an assault near Klishchiivka
• The Economist: Ukraine has lost tens of thousands of defenders