In memory of the soldier from "Azov," Kateryna Rohovyk (call sign "Katrin").

Kateryna served in the ranks of the National Guard and remained in the occupied Mariupol after the full-scale invasion by the Russians. On the day she was scheduled to be evacuated, the enemy dropped an aerial bomb on the bunker where she was located.

Kateryna was born on February 20, 1994, in Mariupol. She attended the local secondary school-gymnasium No. 37. Later, she graduated from the Kyiv Academy of International Economics and International Relations branch and earned a degree in economics.

“Katyusha was our long-awaited child. She dreamed of living and working. She wrote poetry since school and loved reading historical books,” recalls her mother Irina.

While still studying, Kateryna bravely ventured into business, opening her own enterprise—a grocery store and café in the city near a military unit—at the age of 19. This café became very popular among the military personnel.

In 2021, she decided to dedicate her life to the National Guard of Ukraine. On December 16, she signed a contract and became a servicewoman in the Special Operations Unit "Azov," taking on the role of logistics officer.

She chose the call sign “Katrin.”

Ms. Irina recalls that in February 2022, Katya was supposed to be transferred to the position of head of the food supply base:

“And on February 20, it was her birthday. They were given three days off. She came home. But the next day, everyone was gathered at the base. The war began. And I never saw her again. We spoke on the phone or exchanged messages.”

“Katrin” was with her comrades at the territory of the Azovstal steel plant. Her mother remembers asking her to leave the plant with the civilians.

“I begged her: ‘Darling, come out as a civilian, we will pick you up.’ But she replied: ‘Mom, I’m fine. I can’t do that. I’m with such good and strong guys. I’m proud to be with them,’” Ms. Irina recounted.

The Russians ruthlessly shelled Mariupol from the sea, sky, and land using various types of weapons. They dropped heavy aerial bombs on residential buildings, including the Azovstal steel plant, which was under constant fire. Ukrainian defenders held the defense of the coastal city bravely and for a long time.

On the evening of May 7, Kateryna informed that she would be evacuated the next day.

“On May 7 at 19:57, she wrote: ‘Mom, I’m leaving by car tomorrow.’ They were to evacuate her disguised as a civilian. But on May 8, around 3 PM, an aerial bomb struck the bunker. I was informed by Katya’s comrades and later by the patronage service,” the mother of the fallen soldier recounts.

She also clarified that Katya had a beloved boyfriend, with whom they had lived for seven years. “He is a great support for me now. Although, of course, no one can replace my daughter... I never thought I would be left without her in my old age,” says Ms. Irina.

According to her, the body of her deceased daughter has still not been returned home.

Kateryna Rohovyk was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage III degree.

Eternal memory to the Heroine!

Photos from social media