Nazarii Hryntsevych was born in the city of Vinnytsia and studied at School No. 32. He was an excellent student and was held up as a model pupil. A very hard-working young man, he managed to combine studies, work, and sports. He was passionate about martial arts, and in the 9th grade he joined the fan movement of the football club Nyva (Vinnytsia).
When he was 17, and without his mother’s knowledge, Nazarii completed a basic military training course with Azov battalion. After the full-scale invasion began in 2022, he served as a paramedic. He was the youngest among the Azov forces which defended Mariupol for three months, during which period he was injured several times. A video of Nazarii at Azovstal steel plant urging viewers to ‘Love your mum, eat porridge, and love Ukraine,’ became one of the symbols of resistance to Russian aggression.
In May 2022 Nazarii was taken prisoner by Russian forces. He was later released in a prisoner exchange and, together with his comrades, he co-founded the unit Kontakt 12. He served as platoon commander.
Nazarii was awarded the Order ‘For Courage,’ 3rd Class; the medal ‘For Military Service to Ukraine’; the Ministry of Defense distinction ‘Firearm’; the breastplate ‘For Bravery’; and the ‘Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi’, 3rd Class (posthumously).
His mother, Marianna Kolos, said:
‘Hriyenka was a man with a capital ‘M’, a true patriot and nationalist of our country. Throughout his entire life, Nazarii did everything for Ukraine’s independence. That is why we must carry the memory of him through our whole lives and proudly tell our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren about him.’
She continued:
‘Despite his devotion to military service, Nazarii was an extraordinary son, brother, grandson, and true friend. He always supported others with both words and actions. On leave, despite exhaustion and fatigue, he found time for his family and friends. A leader in life, fearless and immortal. He always placed the interests of the nation above his own principles. He constantly honored the memory of his fallen brothers-in-arms.”
Nazarii was killed in action on 6 May, aged 21, and buried in the Alley of Glory at Sabariv Cemetery in Vinnytsia. He leaves behind his mother, brother, sister, and girlfriend.