On Monday, February 8, in the grounds of the memorial complex Alley of Heroes, commemoration events and a flower- laying ceremony took place at the bust of Hero of the DPR Mikhail Tolstykh (nom-de-guerre Givi). According to the press service of the DPR People’s Council, the events were organized by the Donetsk Republic Public Movement and were attended by Chairman of the DPR People’s Council Vladimir Bidyovka and deputies.
“Mikhail Tolstykh proved himself a brave commander and fighter. I think everyone remembers the footage that flew around the world when he was giving an interview to journalists and a shell exploded nearby. Not a muscle flinched on Givi’s face. He was truly a remarkable and courageous man, who gave his whole life to the service of his Motherland. And no matter how much his killers might have wished, he continues to serve today. And he will continue to do so, for he is an example for the younger generation. He has forever entered the heroic history of the Donetsk People’s Republic. The name of Mikhail Tolstykh, Givi, will never be forgotten,” Vladimir Bidyovka said.
Recall that since May 2014 Mikhail Tolstykh took part in the battles for Slavyansk, in the summer of 2014 for Ilovaysk. Since September 2014, he participated in the battles for Donetsk Airport. In September 2016, the battalion commander was promoted to the rank of Colonel of the DPR. He was awarded the Order of Hero of the DPR and other awards of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including two St. George’s Crosses and a Medal for the Defense of Slavyansk. He was killed on February 8, 2017, in Makeyevka as the result of a terrorist attack carried out by Ukrainian security services.
