On 10 May, Ukrainian soldier, participant of the Revolution of Dignity, Crimean activist, and intelligence officer of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Oleksandr Klepikov, would have turned 32.

Born in Simferopol, he was actively involved in the civic life of the peninsula from a young age. In March 2014, after being detained by Berkut for participating in resistance rallies in Sevastopol, he was forced to leave Crimea due to the threat of repression.

In May 2014, Oleksandr joined the Azov volunteer battalion. He took part in operations to liberate Mariupol and fought in battles for Shyrokyne, Marinka, Hranitne, Novyi Svit, Vodiane, Hnutove, Talakivka, and Pisky. From 2014 to 2018, he served in the 1st Separate Feodosiia Marine Battalion, holding the position of deputy commander of a reconnaissance platoon. He participated in all major exercises and operations of the Ukrainian Navy. Later, he served in the 10th unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, where he earned the rank of sergeant of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Oleksandr Klepikov was also passionate about sports. He was a master parachutist with over 80 jumps, a rugby player and fan, and a member of the Korabel Rugby Club in Mykolaiv. He also practiced Brazilian jiu-jitsu and was a certified judge of the International Pistol Shooting Association. 

After the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, he took part in the defense of Mykolaiv, where he was involved in constructing fortifications and conducting combat and sabotage operations alongside territorial defense units. He was later deployed to Kyiv, where he joined the efforts to defend the capital. Oleksandr participated in special operations, including the delivery of reinforcements, evacuation of the wounded, and providing communications support for the defenders of Azovstal.

On 5 April 2022, while carrying out a combat mission to locate and support a downed helicopter near the villages of Mezhyrich and Novoselivka in the Zaporizhzhia region, the Mi-8 helicopter carrying Oleksandr Klepikov was shot down. He was killed along with other officers of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. On 27 July 2023, a farewell ceremony was held at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv. The serviceman was buried at the Lisove Cemetery in Kyiv.

Oleksandr Klepikov was posthumously awarded a number of state and municipal honors, including: the Order “For Courage” III Class (Presidential Decree of Ukraine No. 516/2023 dated 24 August 2023); the Honorary Badge “Defender of Mariupol” (Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine No. 2496 o/s dated 25 November 2015); the Presidential Award “For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation;” the Honorary Badge “For Exemplary Military Service” (Order of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine No. 318 dated 29 May 2015); the Badge “For Airborne Landing;” and the Honorary Distinction of the Mykolaiv City Council “For the Defense of Mykolaiv” (posthumously, Order of the Mayor of Mykolaiv No. 226r dated 26 September 2023).

In 2023, Lohovenka Street in the city of Mykolaiv was renamed Oleksandr Klepikov Street. 

Oleksandr’s loved ones and fellow soldiers created a petition to award him the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously), which has already gathered the required number of signatures. We call for Defence Intelligence sergeant Oleksandr Klepikov to be honored with this distinction.

Oleksandr Klepikov is a name that will live on — in memory, in street names, and in those who continue the fight for our victory and a free Crimea.