Nikolay “Nozh” Nichega is a fan of football clubs “Kryvbas” (Kryvyi Rih) and CSKA (Kyiv), representative of the team “Little Boys”.

Nikolai Leonidovich Nichega was born on March 16, 1993 in the city of Kryvyi Rih. In his hometown, he studied at school No. 26, and after graduation he entered the Kryvyi Rih Construction College. Since childhood, he was fond of sports and was physically developed. In addition to football, there were combat sambo and percussion types of martial arts. Also, from a young age, he began to be interested in military subjects, and later became interested in parachute sports.

Nikolai began to cheer for Kryvyi Rih “Kryvbas” in the fan sector in 2010. He joined the first team of the “Little Boys” football team, which later began to actively support the capital's CSKA. Together with friends from the team, he became a participant in many football events of the early 2010s. Among them there were victories, there were defeats, but Nikolai always showed himself in the best way, he was always ready to stand to the last.

Even after obtaining a construction major in college, he was drafted for military service. During the events of the Revolution of Dignity, he served in the internal troops, but when he saw that the BB guns were used to contain popular anger on the streets of Kiev, he wrote a refusal to enter the service, so as not to commit illegal actions.

In February 2015, he joined the ranks of “Azov”, where he received the nickname “Knife”. He had previously taken knife fighting courses and was very fond of this weapon, which he skillfully owned and sought to improve his skills. He first served in reconnaissance for a tank battalion, and two months later transferred to reconnaissance. Participated in battles in the East. He quickly earned authority and respect among his brethren for his knowledge of military affairs and loyalty to his word. He had many friends not only among the Azov people, but also among the fighters of the 40th and 42nd OMB, as well as the 17th Separate Tank Brigade.

The real passion of “Knife” was the mine-explosive business. Aimed at constant development, he devoted a lot of time to the study of military literature, on his own initiative attended courses from foreign private military campaigns, took ESA courses on the territory of Poland. He dreamed of becoming an international military instructor to train Ukrainian volunteers. In his free time he was active in public life. Participated in patriotic marches and other events. During the holidays, he came to Kryvyi Rih schools, where he told the younger generation about the importance of patriotic education and opposition to the invaders.

Nikolay Nichega was killed in the evening of October 23, 2016, during a combat mission to demine the MON-50 mine in the area of Maryinka. Farewell took place in three days on the Alley of Glory of the Kryvyi Rih Central Cemetery. On June 13, 2017, he was awarded the Order “For Courage” of the III degree (posthumously). On March 16, 2017, a memorial plaque was installed on the wall of the Kryvyi Rih Construction College, where the Knife once studied.