On the day of the mourning anniversary, the memory of the university graduate, who the university is proud of, defender and patriot Dmytro Koriak, who died seven years ago, was honored. Traditionally, students paid tribute to the Hero, who is buried on the Alley of Glory in the city cemetery, and laid flowers on the memorial plaque on the facade of the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”.
After graduating from the Electromechanical Faculty of Poltava National Technical Yuri Kondratyuk University in 2011, Dmytro Koriak became an active participant in the Euromaidan and Poltava Maidan. He later volunteered for the “Azov” Special Forces, alongside which fought until his tragic death on February 11, 2015 during the Ukrainian offensive near Sakhanka in the Donetsk region, however remembrance of relatives, Poltava residents, and all those who care about him preserves bright memories of an extraordinary personality, a courageous young man who did not spare his own life in the struggle for an independent and free Ukraine.
“Dmytro Koriak’s death was a huge loss for the university as well. We are genuinely proud of our graduates – worthy Ukrainian citizens who laid down their lives for the sovereignty and integrity of their own state. After all, in society, invariable concepts and values are still important - humanity, honesty, patriotism, professionalism, respect. Let’s keep the memory of Dmytro in our hearts!” – addressed the Adviser to the rector of the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, Candidate of Military Sciences, Colonel Anatolii Martynenko.
Every year, relatives, volunteers, comrades of Dmytro “Brat (Brother)” Koriak come to the Alley of Glory in the city cemetery, lecturers and students of Poltava Polytechnic gather at the memorial plaque, share memories of those who are no longer around, but whose names will forever remain in hearts.
Poltava Polytechnic keeps the memory of its graduate – his name and biography are entered in the Book of Honor, which is stored in the National Museum of the University. On July 15, 2015, a memorial plaque was unveiled on the facade of the university. Former student is warmly remembered by his lecturers, who will forever bear in mind the young man with a big heart, open to his native people and country.
His life at the age of 25 was taken by fragments of an enemy mine that fell a few meters from him. An anti-aircraft gunner died of his wounds almost immediately. “Brat” died like a real warrior, not letting go of the machine gun, with a concentrated expression on his face. He was ready to aim at the enemy, but did not have time.
It should be recalled that a few days before Dmytro Koriak’s death, journalists from the “Babylon’13” documentary recorded his last life interview, in which he shared his thoughts on the causes of the war, his role in defending the country and the importance of patriotic education in Ukraine.
“If not me, then who? I’m just fighting for my country. If I do not defend it in Mariupol now, everything will be in Poltava and Kyiv soon. What we have now is the result of the decline of culture and education. Everything is very simple for me,” – said the warrior.
In 2016, a requiem book “The Road to Immortality: Dmytro Koriak” (compiled by Nadiia Hryn) was published, dedicated to the life story of the hero.
In accord with the Decree of the President of Ukraine № 176/2015 of March 25, 2015, “for personal courage and high professionalism in defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, [Dmytro Koriak – translator’s note] is awarded the Order for Courage of Third Class (posthumously), by the decision of the Poltava Regional Council awarded with the Decoration “For loyalty to the people of Ukraine” of First Class (posthumously), awarded the Badge of Honor “Mariupol. Defended – Won” (posthumously).
In accordance with the decision of the Myrhorod City Council of Poltava region №6 of March 17, 2017 “for courage and heroism, indomitable spirit in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine [Dmytro Koriak – t/n] is awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Myrhorod” (posthumously)”.
Streets in Poltava and Karlivka are named after Dmytro Koriak, and the Myrhorod Specialized School of I-III Levels № 5 is also named after him.
Media Center of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
