Oleksii «Chornyi Kit»* Borys
*Callsign means “Black Cat” in English
Oleksii Anatoliiovych Borys was born on June 17, 1995. He earned his degree in law, where he distinguished himself as a leader and activist. During his Master’s studies at the Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, he left the impression of an intelligent young man with leadership qualities.
«Oleksii resembled a politician of the American mold. Always with a smile, possessing filigreed and refined speech, his tone was always positive», recalls his classmate Pavlo Liashchenko.
While still a student, Oleksii became a member of the Ukrainian Bar Association Students’ League. He was also among those present at the very beginning of Ukrainian Students for Freedom, witnessing the organization’s rise.
After his studies, Oleksii sought his path in the legal field — working at the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, the State Property Fund of Ukraine, and one of the leading law firms. Eventually, he found his calling in legal journalism, becoming a journalist for Yurydychna Gazeta (Legal Gazette).
«At the Anti-Monopoly Committee, Oleksii, unlike me, truly believed in government institutions. He thought that through his own enthusiasm and optimism, he could build something better there», Pavlo shares.
Colleagues remember Oleksii as a man of principle and sincerity: «He could not tolerate hypocrites and did not forgive betrayal. He was always very sincere in his views and feelings — serious, responsible, and faithful to his principles».
Four days before the full-scale russian invasion, when a friend asked about his plans, Oleksii replied: «I’m going to f*ck them up. I don’t want russian monkeys stealing our toilets and trampling our land».
«Before the war, my father and I had a clear agreement: if war broke out, we would go to defend our country without any hesitation. Even then, there was an understanding that we were not going to surrender it to the enemy. Tracking the events since 2014 in Crimea and Donbas, there was a sense of humiliation because of what the russians were doing to our country, and it grew into malice, anger, and a desire for revenge for everything.
Our confrontation had lasted more than a year; the war with the russians had been going on for years. I knew I wouldn’t flee the country, so on the evening of February 24, I packed the essentials I would need in the military (a sleeping pad, a sleeping bag, a military backpack), swapped my civilian shoes for combat boots, took some food, and went to my parents, who live in another part of Kyiv. The next morning at 6 a.m., my father and I headed to the recruitment office, where I was enlisted into the army,» Oleksii said.
On February 25, 2022, Oleksii and his father volunteered to defend Ukraine. He was drafted into the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. Initially, he served in a reconnaissance company, later transferring to an anti-tank artillery division. He performed duties as a fire adjuster and conducted aerial reconnaissance. Later, he became a platoon commander of an anti-tank artillery battery.
«Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar — I was constantly sending packages there that we collected for his platoon. Young men — intelligent and dedicated — were the first to stand up for Ukraine’s defense. In this war with russia, we are losing the best people, those who were driving our country toward change», wrote Olena Osmolovska, acting editor-in-chief of Yurydychna Gazeta, in his obituary.
Oleksii loved everything Ukrainian. After the Victory, he dreamed of going to the Carpathian Mountains with his beloved to clear his mind. His plans included reforming state institutions and realizing many other ambitious projects.
During his last leave in the winter of 2023, friends saw that the war had not changed him — he remained the same cheerful, inspired guy with Napoleonic ambitions and leadership qualities. At the same time, he maintained a sober assessment of the events at the front.
«We took our last photo together right near the meeting point. At that time, I couldn’t even realize that it would be the last one…» says Pavlo.
On February 9, 2023, Oleksii Borys died in a car accident during an official mission. According to the Institute of Mass Information, he became the 46th media worker to die as a result of russian aggression in Ukraine. Of these, eight died while performing their journalistic duties, while 38 died as combatants or victims of russian shelling outside of their professional roles.
«He had his whole life ahead of him — he was just beginning. He was full of ambitious plans and wasn’t going to slow down. But I know — no, I am certain — that he died for what he believed in. For the very thing he went to fight for», his friend Pavlo remembers.