Oleksandr BRATCHYKOV

Oleksandr was born in Zaporizhzhia. He graduated from the Zaporizhzhia College of Radioelectronics. He began his career on the railway in 1991 as an electrician for the repair and maintenance of signaling, centralization, and blocking devices of the 4th category at the Zaporizhzhia signaling and communication distance. He worked as a first-group electromechanic and a first-group electromechanic of the communication section at the Zaporizhzhia signaling and communication distance of the regional branch "Dniprovsk Railway." He dedicated over 30 years to his work on the railway.

Since July 22, 2023, Oleksandr has been mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

He died on August 12, 2024, during combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction. For a long time, he was considered missing in action.

Colleagues remember Oleksandr with warmth. His direct supervisor, senior electromechanic Oleksiy Kalashnyk, shared that upon receiving a summons from the military enlistment office, Oleksandr immediately went to defend his homeland. "He was a good friend, an excellent worker, a reliable and caring person. A seasoned professional, highly valued in the industry," he said.

The widow of the fallen, Lyudmyla, says that her husband was strong, resilient, and always ready for action. He loved his job, being a hereditary railway worker, as his father worked as a radio mechanic in the same unit. "The team was like a second family to Sashko. At work, they had a large pot where they sometimes cooked pilaf for all the guys during their free time, and they passionately played football together. He adored his little granddaughter, played with her, and shared stories about his fishing adventures. In Stepnohirs'k, we had a strong and beautiful house, which we finished renovating just before the war. Oleksandr did everything himself: laid the tiles, installed the underfloor heating, and hung the wallpaper. He always said, 'Once we get through this, we’ll retire and travel.'”

We express our sincere condolences to Oleksandr's family and loved ones. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.

The team at the Zaporizhzhia signaling and communication distance mourns this irreparable loss. We share the grief of Oleksandr's family and loved ones, who bravely defended our country. Eternal memory and honor to our colleague and hero!