Oleksiy Kravchenko

🇺🇦💪 The destruction of a Russian helicopter, 12 orcs captured, the evacuation of brothers from Bakhmut: the story of the courageous fighter Alexei Kravchenko from Zmiyev

He was born and raised in Zmiiv. After graduating from Zmiiv Lyceum No. 1, Oleksiy Kravchenko entered the Kharkiv Military University, later transferred to KhNURE. He worked for many years at Kharkivblenergo, having worked his way up from controller of Zmiiv REM to head of the subscriber department of Kholodnohirsk REM. In 2010, he left the service in the energy sector and took up entrepreneurship in his hometown.

In March 2022, almost immediately after the start of the full-scale invasion, he volunteered to join the 5th Slobozhansk Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard. Oleksiy's family—his wife and son—had gone abroad, and he had stayed behind to defend his home.

The first battles - Kharkiv region. Liberation of Balakliya, Andriyivka, Izyum, Oskol, Savyntsi. He served in the air reconnaissance, performed complex combat missions, risking his life. He received his first injury during the assault on Balakliya - shrapnel wounded both legs. Having barely recovered, he hurried to return to the unit.

After Kharkiv region — Donbas, Yampil, Kreminna. Heavy and fierce battles, the hottest spots and a second injury. In December 2022, during a tank shelling in the Serebryansk forestry, Oleksiy received a severe concussion and injuries.

Due to his health, he was transferred to the medical company. From February to April 2023, he was engaged in the evacuation of the wounded and dead from Bakhmut. It was no less difficult than the fighting, because every loss of comrades was like a blow to the heart.

His call sign is “Mytets”. He appeared after one of the operations in the Kharkiv region, when Oleksiy and his comrades came up with and brilliantly implemented a cunning plan to deceive the Russians and deliver a precise blow to them. The result was the destruction of equipment, including a helicopter and a BC. For this operation, he received the medal “For Valiant Service”. He promises to tell the details after the victory.

There are other episodes that will forever remain in military history. Near Izyum, his group discovered enemy positions, the occupiers “burned” themselves while looting. As a result of the operation, Alexey and his comrades captured 12 Russian soldiers — among them two majors, another orc was destroyed, and two were wounded.

In late 2023 and the first half of 2024, Oleksiy served in a mobile group that shot down Russian "shaheeds." He has a significant number of destroyed enemy drones.

Our countryman was awarded the Order "For Courage" of the 3rd degree, a badge of the Kharkiv City Council, a decoration from the Brovary Regional Military District, and a commemorative watch from the commander of the National Guard.

Now Oleksiy is 45. He continues to serve as a driver in the 5th Slobozhansk Brigade of the NGU. He saw death, lost those who became his family at the front. But despite everything, he retains faith, optimism and inner strength. He says that service for him is not only about weapons, but also about duty to his home, for which he is ready to fight to the end.

We thank you. We are proud.