Standing in defense of Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Let us remember Yuriy Melekhtya.

Every day at 9 a.m., Ukrainians honor the memory of all those whose lives were taken by the Russian-Ukrainian war. Today we remember Yuriy Melekhtya. 

On December 11, 2024, during a combat mission in the area of Novopustynka, Pokrovskyi district, Donetsk region, Sergeant Yuriy Melekhtya heroically died. This was reported by the Monastyryshchenska City Council. 

Yuriy was born on February 13, 1973, in a large family in the village of Tarnava, where he spent his childhood and school years.

After finishing the 11th grade of the local school, he served in the rocket troops. Upon returning from the army, he worked as a tractor driver-combiner in a collective farm located in Tarnava.

Later, he married his beloved Olena. Eventually, they had two sons whom their loving parents named Vadym and Roman.

Yuriy Melekhtya was a hardworking person. He never stopped in front of anything and bravely moved towards his goals. He built a house with his own hands and planted trees around it. He cultivated the land and took care of the farm. In recent years, he worked at LLC 'Agrovet Atlantic Group'.

According to the Monastyryshchenska City Council, he was a loving husband and a caring father. He was proud of his sons. And when a granddaughter was born, it seemed like wings grew for Yuriy. The family and its well-being were always a priority for our defender.

Yuriy Melekhtya was a sincere, kind, and decent person throughout his life. He was always ready to help strangers, and even more so for friends.

When Ukraine called for help, Yuriy did not hesitate, packed his things, and went to defend his homeland. Since September 2022, the hero stood against the Russian evil. He was a shooter of the motoparatrooper battalion of the 32nd separate mechanized brigade (military unit A4784). 

More than two years of exhausting battles, short meetings with loved ones, and unquenchable faith in victory. But in an instant, everything faded: faith, dreams, and life disappeared...

On December 11, 2024, during a combat mission in the area of Novopustynka, Pokrovskyi district, Donetsk region, Sergeant Yuriy Melekhtya heroically died.

On December 19, 2024, the community residents met their compatriot, laying flowers on the road, kneeling, and bowing their heads in a 'living corridor'. On the flower-strewn ground, Yuriy came home for the last Time... Yuriy Melekhtya was buried with all due military honors at the village cemetery in his native Tarnava.

The yellow-blue flag that covered the fallen soldier's coffin was handed over to the defender’s family as a lasting memory of his feat. In his honor, the National Anthem of Ukraine was played, and a military triple salute loudly pierced the sky and the hearts of those present...

'Yuriy was a true hero who stood in defense of our country. His courage and dedication were an example for all of us. He went to the front line, embodying the best qualities of a true patriot', - wrote the Monastyryshchenska City Council about Yuriy Melekhtya. 

'Glavkom' joins in a moment of silence. We honor the memory of all Ukrainians who died in the fight for their homeland. We remember those killed by Russian invaders, light candles of remembrance, and bow our heads in sorrow during the nationwide minute of silence, honoring the bright memory of Ukrainian citizens who gave their lives for freedom and independence of the state: all soldiers, civilians, and children, all who died in the fight against Russian occupiers and as a result of the aggression of hostile forces against Ukrainian cities and villages.