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Illustration

Ivan Pokidko

“Dzhoni” — “Johnny”

26 October 2002, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast – 9 March 2022, Kharkiv OblastUAL Kharkiv, 2020–2021

“I’ve realized that before any difficult decision, I always ask myself whether he would give up now. And there’s always a right answer — the one that keeps me going,” says Yelyzaveta, a friend.

An essential part of remembrance is pride in the choice our friend and alumnus made. Alongside grief, there is room to honor his path. Ivan had been passionate about military affairs since school, and during his time at the Academy, he created the project Ozbroyeni (“Armed”), organizing lectures for service members in partnership with the Come Back Alive Foundation and CIMIC (civil–military cooperation).

After graduation, he joined the 3rd Separate Regiment named after Sviatoslav the Brave (6th Company, 3rd SOF Regiment). He was doing what he had long dreamed of — shaping the world around him with his own hands.

To honor the nineteen-year-old defender, on November 23, 2022, supporters launched a petition to name Gymnasium No. 122 after him.

On December 23, at a meeting of the Kryvyi Rih City Council, 33 out of 38 deputies refused to vote on whether to consider the petition. By contrast, at a public hearing the day before, attendees voted to name the school after the controversial O. Holiakov, who is accused of organizing the beating of protesters during the Maidan.
The issue remains unresolved. On Instagram, charity T-shirts dedicated to Ivan are available for purchase, and updates can be followed there.
In Lviv’s Zalizna Voda Park, a young sycamore maple stands with a nameplate shaped like a military dog tag. Here, you can read Ivan’s story and those of seven other heroes.

A volunteer initiative supporting defenders within the Ukrainian Leadership Academy community.

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A volunteer initiative supporting defenders within the Ukrainian Leadership Academy community.

moc.liamg%40mroftalpkytod

Support

© Created by Pick Page

All rights Reserved

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