Oleh Shyriaiev

Oleh Viktorovych Shyriaiev (born 1986) is a Ukrainian military officer who has served as the Commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment since 2023.[1][2]

Early life and education

Oleh Viktorovych Shyriaiev was born in 1986 in the settlement of Miscevo, Orekhovo-Zuyevsky District, Soviet Union.[3][4] From a young age, Shyriaiev was active in sports and interested in Ukrainian Cossack history and the nationalist movement.[3]

Shyriaiev attended the Lyubotyn secondary school No. 4 in Kharkiv Oblast.[3][4] He then studied at the Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics, where he earned a master's degree, specializing in accounting and audit.[3][4] He later pursued further military education and earned a master's degree as an Operational Level Officer from the National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine.[3]

Career

After completing his studies, Shyriaiev worked as a banker in Kharkiv from 2007 to 2014 in various positions.[3][4] During 2008–2009, he completed his compulsory military service in the Ukrainian Air Force as a conscript, serving as a squad commander.[3] From 2014 to 2015, he served in the National Police of Ukraine as the commander of the Eastern Corps based in Kharkiv.[3] He has also been involved in volunteerism, public service, and organizing sports events in the Kharkiv region.[3]

During the full-scale invasion by Russian troops in March 2022, Shyriaiev initially served as a commander in the 228th battalion of the 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces.[3][5] In February 2023, he was appointed commander of the 225th battalion.[3] Under his command, the battalion was engaged in the defense near Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, and was later integrated into the Ground Forces as the 225th Separate Assault Battalion in July 2023.[3][6] Shyriaiev led his battalion in several strategic operations across different fronts, including near the cities of Horlivka, Avdiivka, and Chasiv Yar.[3] In August 2024, the unit advanced into Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation and captured major territory.[3][7]

Awards and recognition

Shyriaiev was awarded the Hero of Ukraine title and Gold Star in recognition of his contributions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5][7] He also received the Order for Courage (3rd degree) in 2022,[8] the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky (3rd degree) in 2023,[9] and the Order of Danylo Halytsky in 2024.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Ukraine's army retreats from Chasiv Yar as Russia gets closer to seizing strategically important town". PBS News. July 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "'They do not surrender': Ukraine commander details fight with North Koreans in Russia". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Шушківський, А. І. (December 12, 2024). "Ширяєв Олег Вікторович". esu.com.ua.
  4. ^ a b c d "Биография Ширяева Олега Викторовича - известного активиста Харькова". www.kv.com.ua.
  5. ^ a b "Пробив оборону росіян і став героєм України: Олег Ширяєв отримав "Золоту зірку" від президента". www.unian.ua. October 11, 2024.
  6. ^ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (May 1, 2024). "Ukrainian forces near besieged Chasiv Yar say they badly need ammunition".
  7. ^ a b "www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/22/ukraine-russia-kursk-counterattack/". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  8. ^ "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №366/2022 — Офіційне інтернет-представництво Президента України".
  9. ^ "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №350/2023 — Офіційне інтернет-представництво Президента України".