UCU tells about its graduate pictured on viral photo of a soldier reading Timothy Snyder's book in trench 

The press service of the Ukrainian Catholic University reported the information, Espreso TV informs. 

Oleksandr is 28 years old. He was born in Mykolaiv in a multicultural family.

"When the boy was 5 years old, the family returned to his father's homeland in the village of Chornomorske, Crimea. Thanks to his grandmother, who also worked as a teacher, Oleksandr could read at 4 and knew many poems by heart. Both his grandfathers were captains of long-distance voyages, very disciplined and hardworking people. These traits were passed on to the grandson," the university informs. 

In 2014, in order not to take the oath to Russia, the man transferred and graduated from the military department in Odesa. He continued his studies in Kharkiv. Subsequently, he transferred to a university in Poland, where he got his master's degree. There he would help civilian and military Ukrainians. This was not enough for him and he decided to volunteer in the frontline city of Svitlodarsk. There Oleksandr united local youth around him. Together with other volunteers they renovated an old gym in Novoluhanske town and founded a boxing section. In addition to sports, he organized trips for teenagers outside the town, district and region. He also organized literary circles, trainings, master classes and leisure activities.

Since 2017, the man studied and received a master's degree at the Ukrainian Catholic University under the program on the management of non-profit organizations of the Institute of Leadership and Management. At that time, he founded a youth center, and for 2 years was the coordinator of the Strong Communities movement in Svitlodarsk. 

A few days before the full-scale invasion, the man signed a contract to join the reserve of the 80th separate air assault brigade. Soon he was called to the unit and since then he has been defending Ukraine on the front line.

In July, Oleksandr was injured and after treatment returned to the front line. In autumn, he was awarded the Order For Courage of the third degree. Now the man is taking part in the counter-offensive operation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 

Earlier, famous historian Timothy Snyder published a photo of the Ukrainian soldier reading his book in a trench; the post gained more than 1 million views in a few hours.

English translation: The highest honor for an author - the reader