A 20-Year-Old Paratrooper Killed Near Bakhmut
On May 21, 2022, 20-year-old soldier Anatolii Grekov was killed near the city of Bakhmut. His death resulted from enemy artillery fire close to the village of Pylypchatyne in the Donetsk region. Anatolii was a dedicated warrior who gave his life for the defense of Ukraine.
The Biography and Combat Record of Anatolii Grekov
Anatolii Grekov was born on October 18, 2001, in the city of Otamanivka, formerly known as Molodohvardiisk, in the Luhansk region. In 2014, he relocated to the Ivano-Frankivsk region, where he continued his education at Municipal Institution Molodohvardiisk Secondary School No. 7. After completing his studies, he qualified as a drilling technician for the operation and exploratory drilling of oil and gas wells at the Drohobych Professional College of Oil and Gas, a communal institution of the Lviv Regional Council.
In 2019, Anatolii signed a military service contract with the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade, where he served as a grenade launcher operator. He actively participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and the Joint Forces Operation, and defended Kyiv following the start of the full-scale invasion. Anatolii also fought for Ukraine on the Mykolaiv and Donetsk fronts as part of the 80th Separate Air Assault 'Galician' Brigade.
For his service, Anatolii was awarded the Order For Courage, 3rd Class. He was laid to rest on January 22, 2026, at the Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv, in Field of Honor No. 87 on Pasichna Street. His story is a stark reminder of the young Ukrainians who have borne the heaviest burden of the nation's defense. He is survived by his parents and two brothers, who remember him as a hero who gave his life for peace in Ukraine.
The death of Anatolii Grekov stands as another testament to the sacrifices borne by Ukrainian soldiers in the struggle for their country's territorial integrity and independence.
His life and combat service highlight the young people who, despite their age, choose to defend their homeland. These events unfold against the backdrop of a protracted war in eastern Ukraine, underscoring the importance of remembering the fallen heroes and supporting their families during this difficult time.