World War II veteran who lost grandson in anti-terrorist operation in Donbass died at 104 years of age (video)

In 2017, Ivan Zaluzhny became the face of an information campaign for the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation.

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Ivan Zaluzhny, a legendary World War II veteran, died in Zaporozhye at the 104th year of his life. About this on your Facebook page wrote the former head of the Zaporozhye regional state administration Konstantin Bryl.

Konstantin Bryl said that “very heroic and patriotic memories” are associated with the name of the deceased in the region and throughout Ukraine. “Ivan Anikeevich Zaluzhny protected our country from the” brown plague “, and his only grandson gave his life for Ukraine in Donbass,” the message says.

In 2017, Ivan Zaluzhny, together with the UPA shooter Stepan Petrash, became the face of the information campaign for the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, created by the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, and in 2018 he received the Order For Courage, III degree.

Ivan Anikeevich Zaluzhny survived the Holodomor of 1932-1933. After six classes at school, he entered the school, where he mastered the profession of a turner, and went to work at the plant. Engels (the current cable one), where he produced parts of shells in a secret workshop.

In 1938 he was drafted into the 14th Caucasian Mountain Rifle Regiment, and he served in the Far East. When the war began, Zaluzhny, as part of the 355th separate battalion of the marines, took part in the battles for Stalingrad.

The veteran went through not only the entire war, but was also a participant in the Japanese campaign. Having risen to the rank of captain I rank, after the war he continued to serve in the army.

“In 2021 he turned 103. He lived a decent life and will always be an example for many! This is a great loss for all of us. I express my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ivan Anikievich Zaluzhny!” – concludes his story about the veteran Konstantin Bryl.

The 23-year-old grandson of Ivan Zaluzhny, Ivan Gutnik-Zaluzhny, who commanded the Zaporozhye platoon of the National Guard of Ukraine, died in the summer of 2014 near Amvrosievka in the Donetsk region. The guy saved 50 colleagues at the cost of his life.

“We have lost a wonderful person. We were like friends with him. He told my mother when she cried:“ I am a volunteer of the National Guard, I am an officer. I am going to war, I am going to defend the Motherland. And there is no war without sacrifices. “The grandson felt – he said that he was ready to sacrifice his life.” I want to say that today’s youth are our pride and glory, they give their lives for the freedom of Ukraine. Now we must win by all means! “, – spoke Ivan Zaluzhny at the funeral of his grandson.

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This story gained wide publicity in the media, the hero’s grandfather received thousands of letters of support. The veteran supported the ATO soldiers, and also communicated with representatives of the unit in which his grandson served.

The date and place of farewell to Ivan Zaluzhny have not yet been announced.

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