In memory of the commander of the strike UAV unit, Oleksandr Obukhivskyi (callsign "Kuznets"), who served with honor and dedication.

Those who knew Oleksandr Obukhovskyi remember him as a reliable, principled person of his word. He was born and raised in Snihurivka, Mykolaiv region. He worked as an electrician and later moved to Mykolaiv. In 2014, he went to defend Ukraine's independence, fighting in the hot spots of eastern Ukraine.

After demobilization, Oleksandr actively engaged in public activities, participating in the work of the NGO "Association of ATO Participants and Veterans" and was elected as a deputy of the Mykolaiv District Council.

In August 2021, he signed a new contract and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, fighting from the first days of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. He served as the commander of the strike drone aviation complexes (RuBpak) "Perun group" of the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade.

“The Snihurivka community was once again shaken by sad news. Our fellow countryman, military man, and Snihurivka resident Oleksandr Viktorovych Obukhovskyi tragically lost his life while performing his official duties. He was a good friend of mine, a person you could always rely on. Oleksandr took up the defense of our state long before the full-scale invasion and remained faithful to his oath until the end,” – wrote the head of the Snihurivka Military Administration, Ivan Kukhta.

A veteran of the Russo-Ukrainian war and head of the veterans and IDP affairs department of the Mykolaiv City Council, Oleksandr Tereshchenko, writes with sorrow about the loss of his comrade.

“We first met Sashko at the railway station in Dnipro. I was returning from treatment after an injury, and he was on a short vacation home. Later, we collaborated in the veteran 'movement' of Mykolaiv. He was very reliable, strong, and straightforward. He always spoke directly, no matter if someone liked it or not. He was genuine. Thank you, Brother, for living and for our meeting in this life. Hug all our friends there. How tired I am of losing you all…,” – noted Tereshchenko.

The commander of the drone strike unit of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade, Oleksandr Diordiiev, told a Ukrinform correspondent that Oleksandr was his best friend. “He was very principled and humane. We never argued or conflicted. We shared many common views,” – said Diordiiev.

He recalls that he met Sashko during one of the patriotic events at the Mykolaiv "Mohylianka." Their communication continued during a volunteer project for ATO/EOS participants "Support Point 'Soul of the South'" on Dzharylhach Island (Kherson region).

“The living conditions there were Spartan. But Sashko loved it, as he was a fan of such recreation, bringing his family and friends there. He was not just a participant but also helped a lot with organizational issues, setting up and dismantling the camp. Eventually, we stayed in touch while working in the Association of ATO Participants. Not everything suited him there, so he left the organization several times but always returned. He was passionate, but quickly moved on,” – continues the story about his friend.

He adds that Oleksandr was very positive, yet he absolutely did not tolerate people who consumed alcohol or drugs. He himself engaged in sports and participated in many competitions.

While working in the Association, he did everything he could to help the families of servicemen, supporting them. He could dress up as St. Nicholas to distribute gifts to children for New Year and entertain them a little.

“When the full-scale invasion began, Oleksandr made significant efforts to create the drone unit he led. He practically built it from scratch in front of my eyes. At one point, our brigades fought side by side in the Pokrovsk direction, so we had the privilege of seeing each other occasionally. He always went out of his way to help everyone he could, even when it seemingly did not concern him. He emphasized that we were doing a common cause for our Victory,” – says Diordiiev.

According to him, they shared one passion: they loved to drive off-road, through fields, swamps, or snow, overcoming the toughest obstacles. This was a distraction and helped them recover after challenging combat tasks.

Oleksandr enjoyed watching videos and shows about metalworking, as he was a jack-of-all-trades and knew how to do many things. That’s why he chose the callsign “Kuznets.”

Oleksandr died in a car accident in Dnipropetrovsk region while carrying out a combat mission.

“According to police information, he lost consciousness at the wheel and veered off the road. It was 8 AM on his 45th birthday. I don’t have many friends like Sashko. This is an unspeakable pain…,” – laments his companion.

Oleksandr Obukhovskyi was buried in Mykolaiv at the city cemetery.

Honor and glory to the Hero!

Photos provided by Oleksandr Diordiiev and from open sources