On February 9, 2023, journalist Oleksii Borys was killed at the frontline.
Between 2011 and 2015, Oleksii pursued a legal education in Kyiv. After obtaining his degree, he worked in various state structures, including the Anti-Monopoly Committee and the State Property Fund of Ukraine. Later, he served as a legal assistant at the well-known Arzinger legal company.
In 2021, Borys transitioned to journalism, focusing on writing analytical articles in law for The Legal Newspaper. His colleagues remember him as an ambitious and spirited man, always brimming with new ideas. He often reminded everyone that every achievement begins with a dream.
“He was a genuinely sincere and easy-going guy, never afraid of challenges or difficult tasks. No matter what challenges life threw at him, he was always there to provide support and say, ‘Don't worry, we'll get through this! Everything will be just fine!’” recalls his friend and colleague, Marharyta Kinakh.
Oleksii had a passion for reading books, particularly those related to the history of Ukraine. He was acutely aware of the potential escalation of Russia’s war and, in preparation for a full-scale invasion, worked alongside his father. He also informed his colleagues of his decision to stand up for the country.
On the day when the first explosions reverberated across Ukraine, Oleksii accompanied his fiancée to the railway station and then proceeded to gather the necessities required for military service. On February 25, 2022, he enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Oleksii Borys commenced his combat service in the Chernihiv region, serving with the 58th Motorized Infantry Brigade's reconnaissance unit. Later, he was transferred to an anti-tank artillery division to perform aerial reconnaissance. In the midst of his combat missions, Oleksii managed to marry his fiancée.
In May, he was appointed as a platoon commander for an anti-tank artillery battery. It was during this time that Oleksii found himself under intense Russian artillery shelling, with a hostile drone circling overhead and missiles landing perilously close. He expressed that he would never forget that day.
“They say that in a situation of mortal danger, your entire life might flash before your eyes, but that wasn't my experience. The moments between one hostile shell exploding nearby and the next one hurtling towards you were the only thinking time I had. It was during those moments that I asked myself, ‘God, will I ever see my wife again?’ I'll never forget that feeling.”
Oleksii Borys was 27 years old, leaving behind his parents and his wife, Tetyana.
