A bust of Hero of the Donetsk People’s Republic Mikhail Tolstykh (nom-de-guerre Givi) (1980—2017) was put up today, on August 25, near the monument “To Your Liberators, Donbass!” on the Alley of Heroes in Donetsk. According to a correspondent of the Official Website of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Head of the Republic Denis Pushilin attended the opening ceremony.
“We all remember Mikhail as a true patriot, hero, courageous and strong man and good commander. He met our war in Slavyansk, then fought in hottest spots and the most important battles for Ilovaysk, Debaltsevo, Donetsk Airport. He could stand when shells were flying over his head and make decisions. His decisions were extraordinary though, but they invariably led to victories.
Today we open the bust and our descendants will be able to visit the Alley of Heroes and pay homage to the real heroes of Donbass, who gave their lives for our freedom and independence. I want to express my gratitude to the parents, relatives and friends for the fact that we have had Givi, a real hero. I want to thank his fellow soldiers, his battalion, who still remember their commander.
Our duty is not to disgrace the honor of the heroes. Our task is to do everything possible so that their lives and deaths in the name of freedom and independence are not in vain. We shall win for the sake of their memory and for the future of our children,” Denis Pushilin said.
Recall that Guards Colonel Mikhail “Givi” Tolstykh was born in 1980 in Ilovaysk. In 2014, he was among the first to defend the freedom and independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic, took part in the defense of Slavyansk, distinguished himself in the summer battles in Ilovaysk. For the courage and heroism shown during the liberation of Donetsk Airport in February 2015, Mikhail Tolstykh was awarded the title of Hero of the Donetsk People’s Republic. He was the long-time commander of the Separate Guards Motorized Rifle (Assault) Battalion Somali. He died in 2017 as the result of the terrorist attack committed by Ukrainian security agencies.
