On May 22, 2025, Ukrainian Armed Forces officer Nazar Yaroslavovych Malik was killed in action near Pokrovske. He was a native of Yalta, from the town of Massandra, a graduate of the Faculty of History of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and an actor with the university’s creative student group Night at the University.

Nazar’s strong civic spirit was evident even during his school years, especially during the occupation of Crimea. At the final bell ceremony at his alma mater, Yalta School No. 15 named after Stepan Rudanskyi, Nazar and several classmates sang the Ukrainian national anthem over the sound of the Russian “Slav’sya Otechestvo.” Despite the threatening atmosphere of the occupation, the video shows the graduates hesitating at first, then placing their hands over their hearts and joining in the anthem.

After the incident, repressions began against the teachers, parents, and students of the school.

“I’m already on the territory of Ukraine. My classmates who remained in Yalta are being forced to come to school and write explanatory notes about why we sang. Teachers and the school principal are being dismissed at this very moment. All of them. Even though most of them support Ukraine! No one knew we were going to sing. And we, for our part, did it consciously. We are patriots of Ukraine and always have been. I do not hide this!” wrote one of the graduates on social media.

In Kyiv, Nazar enrolled at Taras Shevchenko National University, where he studied history. He actively participated in educational initiatives and easily connected with student communities across all years — always remaining the heart of the group. Nazar was a vibrant presence in student life, particularly as a member of the creative association Night at the University.

“It was hard not to notice Nazar. He was funny and quick-witted — and even if not everyone understood him, no one could deny how much he meant to our project. A comrade, a friend, a brother, and a son. A military history and weapons expert, an improviser, a joker, the honorary ambassador of Massandra, the man with probably the largest collection of greatcoats missing buttons and insignia in the dressing room — and since 2024, an officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thank you for your service. We will grieve and remember. And we will honor you in a free Ukrainian Crimea,” noted the members of the student association.

In 2024, Nazar became an officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. With the start of the full-scale war, he made a conscious decision to fight for the liberation of his home — Ukrainian Crimea. That path home led through battles against Russian invaders.

“I remember him as a regular attendee of the Historical Debate League. What immediately came to mind was his difficult story — from Crimea in 2014, singing the Ukrainian national anthem at his graduation ceremony when the peninsula was already under occupation. Sadly, this story ended with his death on the frontline, as he tried to free his home and the homes of others from the Russians,” reads a farewell post on Facebook written by one of Nazar’s university group mates.

A few months ago, while Nazar was serving on the front line, his father passed away from cancer.

Nazar’s university classmates have opened a donation jar to support his family.

Eternal memory to the defender.