On December 19, murals dedicated to the fallen defenders of Ukraine, fighters of the 1st Anti-Tank Company of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, were unveiled on the Darnytsia Highway in Kyiv. Among the honored heroes was 21-year-old Oleksandr Tykhonets, a native of the Khmelnytskyi region, who died on June 19, 2023, from an enemy shell while performing a combat mission. Oleksandr Tykhonets, known by the call sign "Tykhon", was a junior sergeant and commander of an anti-tank missile systems platoon.
The Story of a Devoted Defender
Oleksandr Tykhonets was born on April 10, 2002, in the city of Slavuta in the Khmelnytskyi region. He studied at the educational complex "Secondary Specialized School I-III levels, Lyceum 'Uspikh'", and graduated from Mukachevo Lyceum No. 1 in 2019. He continued his education at the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine in Kyiv, specializing in "Coaching in a Selected Sport".
As a volunteer, Oleksandr joined the unit where his friends served and defended his country in the most dangerous directions, particularly in the Bakhmut district of Donetsk region. He showed initiative, always had a positive attitude, and was awarded the "War Veteran" distinction.
The Significance of the Murals
The unveiling of the murals became a symbol of memory and honor for the fallen soldiers, marked by personalized images and dates. As noted by Oleh Romanov, deputy commander of the regiment of unmanned systems of the 3rd Army Corps, such initiatives are an example for other units to honor the memory of soldiers, encouraging the creation of similar memorials in cities.
Oleksandr Tykhonets, like other heroes, left no one indifferent who knew him. Friends from sports and fighters of the "Azov" regiment escorted their comrade on his final earthly journey with all military honors, giving him various forms of tribute.
The fighters honored in the mural, including Oleksandr Tykhonets, became a symbol of resilience and self-sacrifice for the protection of their country. They remain an example for the modern generation, and their names will forever remain in the history of Ukraine.
