Oleksii, a soldier nickname “Sapoh» was born on March 29, 1989, in the town of Zdolbuniv, Rivne Oblast. He resided in the town of Zdolbuniv (Railway District). In 2007 he graduated from Zdolbunìv Higher Vocational School of Railway Transport.
Oleksii was the fighter of the 24 Independent Assault Battalion “Aidar” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He voluntarily went to the battalion in November 2014. Oleksii was a sniper.
On May 8, 2015, in the village of Novotoshkivka, Popasniansk Raion of Luhansk oblast, on the 29th Road Block Post near the village of Bakhmutki, Oleksii received a severe anti-personnel injury. He was immediately delivered to the town of Lysychansk and operated, later transferred to the hospital of the city of Kharkiv. On May 15, still being unconsciousness, he died from injuries at Kharkiv hospital. The last visitation with the Hero took place at the Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv on May 16. The same day a soldier was met in the town of Zdolbuniv.
He was married and was bringing up two children. Oleksii left parents and a younger brother.
In Zdolbuniv in Rivne region people said goodbye to the deceased volunteer of the battalion «Aidar» Oleksii Sapozhnikov.
Sunday, 17 may 2015, Zdolbuniv said goodbye to the volunteer of the battalion «Aidar» Oleksii Sapozhnikov . Courageous man was followed to the grave by the family and friends, martial brothers, government officials, friends, caring Zdolbuniv citizens
The funeral of the soldier took place at the Holy Dormition Church. The rite of the funeral, with the blessing of Archbishop of Rivne and Ostrog, Ilarion, was led by Zdolbuniv Dean of the deanery FR. Pavel Jura.
At the end of the funeral a cleric of Holy Dormition Church, FR. Ihor Sakovskyi, addressed the attendants. He noted that not long ago, we had remembered the victims of the war and that a year ago nobody could imagine that our generation would have to go through another war. The Revolution of Dignity gave us hope that there would be a time when the Ukrainian people finally were going to build a Ukrainian Ukraine, about which we all dream, and suddenly the war. We all have to remember Oleksii as a brave warrior who laid down his life for the freedom and independence of Ukraine in the fight with the Russian aggressor.
The last words about the deceased were also told by his martial brothers, who also did not hold back tears during the farewell ceremony. Oleksii is remembered by his courage, a man with a big heart and a sincere smile.
By calling the heart, understanding his responsibility before the people, family, and his countrymen Oleksii Sapozhnikov went to fight for freedom and worthy life of every citizen of our state. This is the choice of man, warrior and patriot.
Eternal memory to the Hero!
To remember the courage of the soldier
On the eve of the Day of the Defender of Ukraine on the building of Zdolbuniv Secondary School №5 there was the memorial plaque to Oleksii Sapozhnikov solemnly opened, a soldier of the battalion «Aidar», who died in the East of Ukraine this spring.
During a touching ceremony, the attendants remembered the soldier who at that time studied at this school. And the Oleksii’s mother read a poem once written for her son.
