FPV Drone Attack Kills Police Lieutenant in Donetsk Region

Tragedy in Eastern Ukraine

According to Главком: On May 6, 2025, police lieutenant Oleksandr Riznyk was killed while carrying out a combat mission in the Donetsk region. Riznyk, an inspector with the special police regiment of the Rapid Operational Response Corps under the Kyiv regional police headquarters, fell victim to an FPV drone strike as he was returning from a combat deployment near the Kramatorsk front. He was posthumously awarded the Ukrainian presidential honor 'For the Defense of Ukraine'.

Life and Service of Oleksandr Riznyk

Riznyk, 35, was born in the village of Kovrai in Cherkasy region. He began his law enforcement career in 2009, serving in a special forces unit in Kyiv. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he joined a police rifle regiment in the Kyiv region, initially working to evacuate civilians along the Sumy axis. His unit was later redeployed to Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast.

On May 6, 2025, while performing a combat assignment near Kramatorsk, Riznyk sustained severe injuries from an enemy drone attack. He died en route to the hospital during evacuation. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.

Riznyk's wife, Victoria, remembers him with deep affection:

'We met in 2014... Sashko was an incredibly caring father and husband.' - Victoria Riznyk

She also emphasized that 'Sashko made the decision to defend the Homeland on his own.' Recalling their shared moments, Riznyk's comrade-in-arms with the call sign 'Mers' says:

'I remember our first meeting. Alexander radiated positivity... Before his death, he gave me a T-shirt.' - Riznyk's comrade

Victoria expressed her feelings: 'I want to wake up one day... I cannot come to terms with the loss.' Every day at 9 a.m., Ukrainians honor the memory of all those whose lives have been taken by the Russo-Ukrainian war. Glavcom joins in a moment of silence, paying tribute to the heroes who gave their lives for the Homeland.

The death of Oleksandr Riznyk is another tragic example of the losses Ukraine continues to suffer amid the ongoing armed conflict. His dedication to service and defense of the country underscores the courage and sacrifice that Ukrainian military and law enforcement personnel demonstrate daily. By honoring the memory of such heroes, society is reminded of the importance of the struggle for peace and the integrity of the state.

The tragic loss of Oleksandr Riznyk is a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers faced by Ukrainian servicemen, similar to the recent death of another soldier, Oleksandr Miroshnichenko, who was killed in action on April 26. These events highlight the sacrifices made by those defending their homeland amidst the escalating conflict in the region.