October 26, 2023
42-year-old Senior Lieutenant Andriy Polyakov, call sign “Bison,” died on October 26, 2023, near the village of Svyato-Pokrovske in the Bakhmut district of Donetsk. While performing a combat mission to clear the territory of mines, he detonated an unknown explosive device. Despite being evacuated and transferred to medical professionals, the injuries proved fatal.
Andriy Mykolayovych was born in Smila, Cherkasy Oblast. He had lived in Kyiv for the last 20 years. In 2004, he graduated from the National Aerospace University named after M.E. Zhukovsky “Kharkiv Aviation Institute” with a specialization in aircraft and helicopter construction technology. He also received the rank of reserve officer at the military department. After graduation, he worked at the Antonov State Enterprise and later became an entrepreneur. He was involved in sports and self-improvement. He was an active participant in the Revolution of Dignity, during which he sustained injuries.
On February 24, 2022, he sent his family to a safe place and volunteered for military service. The next day, as part of the 131st battalion of the 112th brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces, he defended Kyiv. After the liberation of the capital, he transferred to the engineering company of the 241st separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There, he held the position of commander of the engineering-technical platoon. In the summer, he headed to the Kharkiv region. In July 2023, he transferred to the position of commander of the engineering-sapper platoon of the 206th battalion and went to defend Donetsk.
“Andriy is a true patriot of Ukraine! His motto during the war was: ‘Soul to God! Life to Ukraine! Honor for oneself!’ And it happened just like that. Andriy could not sit still, always wanted to move forward. Voluntarily, of his own accord, he moved from the rear military unit to the one involved in combat. In the new team, he proved himself only from the best side: as a commander, as a comrade, as a friend! He managed to unite the platoon he led and bring together servicemen of different ages. The battalion’s leadership was, without exaggeration, thrilled with him, saying, ‘Finally found the officer we’ve been looking for so long!'” said his brother, Dmytro.
“Andriy is the person who always helped everyone, sincere, mega-active, a true patriot!” added childhood friend Aliona Nianchenko.
The officer was buried at the Alley of Glory of Berkivtsi Cemetery in Kyiv.
Andriy is survived by his wife Yulia, daughter Valeriya, son Arsen, as well as a loving family, many friends, and comrades.