Mikhail “Bear” Kolesnik is a fan of the football club “Metalurg” (Zaporizhia).

Mikhail Yuryevich Kolesnik was born on May 12, 1997 in the city of Zaporizhia. He studied in gymnasium No. 50, and after graduating from it he entered ZNTU at the Faculty of Physical Education. From childhood he was very active, and therefore initially went to the Greco-Roman struggle. From the 5th grade I was interested in basketball. He visited competitions in many cities of Ukraine and had the award “Best Player of 2014”.

He came to the fan sector “Metalurga” at a young age. At that time in the city there was a peak of fan activity among young people. He often attended matches, but was not part of any separate ultras team. Teammates recall that Mikhail could be a football puncher, but quite calm in life. He grew up in the Baburka area, where at one time there were many Metalurg fans. He conflicted with few people, but he also did not allow himself to be offended.

In 2018, after two years of study at the university, he decided to go to Kiev, where he joined the Azov organization “National Wives”. He was engaged in social and social activities. In the capital, he began to practice boxing, spent a lot of time training.

From the first day of the full-scale war, Mikhail volunteered to defend the country, joining one of the Azov units, from which the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade would later be formed. Since September 2022, he was a fighter of the 3rd OSHBR, which he was very proud of. Participated in the defense of the capital, and later in the battles in the Zaporizhzhya and Donetsk directions. He was an operator of anti-tank missile systems.

According to the recollections of the brothers, “Bear” was a gentle warrior, a reliable friend and brother, simple and sincere in communication. Friends recall that Mikhail never regretted that it was difficult for him. Being “at zero” he often joked and smiled. He was awarded the badge “For Contributing to the Defense of Kyiv” and the Medal “For Military Service to Ukraine”.

One of the friends in the sector tells how he last congratulated Mikhail on his birthday, sending a video of a 155 caliber combat shot and a photo of a projectile. - “He promised me then that we would definitely meet and celebrate his birthday again. That was the last I heard from him.”

Mykhailo Kolesnik died on August 12, 2023, during a combat mission near Bakhmut (Donetsk region), as a result of an enemy tank hitting Ukrainian military positions. Awarded the Order “For Courage” III degree (posthumously). He was buried in the cemetery of St. Nicholas in his native Zaporozhye.