Yegor “Bir” Birkun is a fan of the football club “Kryvbas” (Kryvyi Rih), a representative of the team “The Company”.
Yegor Alexandrovich Birkun was born on August 9, 1997 in the city of Kryvyi Rih, where he graduated from the 81st school, then studied at the metallurgical technical school. He received his higher education at Kryvyi Rih National University. Since childhood, Yegor was engaged in martial arts and was a fan of Kryvbas. From a young age he was in the fan group “The Company”. His teammates recall that “Bir” had certain qualities of a leader, so when in 2014-15 the senior comrades went to the front, he took over the leadership of the team. People followed him, there were victories, and combat defeats occurred, which only hardened the character. All this Yegor combined with sports at a serious level.
And yet, all the time, since 2014, Yehor supported comrades at the front and was interested in the possibility of joining the ranks of the Ukrainian army. In 2017, he joined the AZOV regiment, where he showed himself with dignity, courage and responsibility. He always participated in competitions on various topics, such as: the birthday of the regiment, the day of the fallen brothers, the anniversary of the Pavlopil-Shyrokin operation, where every now and then he took prize places.
After the service, he returned to the city of Kryvyi Rih, where his mother, as well as his beloved girlfriend, was waiting for him. He raised funds for an apartment and repairs. Along with this, he continued to car'єру in mixed martial arts and conducted individual trainings. Among the sporting achievements of “Bir”, the following awards deserve special attention:
- Region Champion with MMA (UFMMA);
- Champion of the region in grappling;
- Silver medalist of the UFMMA European Championship;
- KMS from unibor;
- Blue belt on BZH.
We can say that his active sports life was just beginning. He was supposed to represent Ukraine at the MMA World Championship GAMMA in March.
But on February 24, a full-scale Russian invasion began. “Bir” immediately gathered and went to Mariupol. With him went there his teammates, also from the team “The Company”, who had not had any combat experience before. One of them would later be captured, the other was wounded. Yegor Birkun gave his life defending Mariupol on March 22. Running between houses to help his comrade, who came under enemy fire, he received bullet wounds incompatible with life. He died the death of the Hero, with a gun in his hands. The next day, the same World Championship began, at which Yegor was supposed to play for our country.
For personal courage and selfless actions in defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath, exemplary performance of official duty Yehor Birkun was awarded the Order “For Courage” III degree (posthumously).
