Andrey Kunakov

Spetsnaz Chief of Staff -Major

Unit: 153rd Spetsnaz Detachment, 346th Spetsnaz Brigade, Special Operation Forces (SSO), GRU

Cargo ID: #73

Full Name: Andrey Viktorovich Kunakov

Russian Name: Кунаков Андрей Викторович

Date of Birth: December 15, 1982 (age: 39 years)

Place of Birth: Elista, Kalmykia, Russia

Registered Address: Russia, Kalmykia, Elista, South District 1st Street, 61, apt. 35; Russia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Prokhladny, Karla Marksa Street, 16

Education: Military University of the Ministry of Defense of Russia (2006)

Passport Information: series 8504 № 288201, issued 21.10.2004

SNILS (Government ID): 118-622-909 62

Awards: Hero of the Russian Federation (ph.), Cross of Saint George 4th Class (ph.), Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" 2nd Class, Medal "For Distinction in Combat" / Medal "For Military Distinctions", Medal "For Distinction in Military Service" 3rd Class, Medal "Participant of the Military Operation in Syria", Medal "For the Return of Crimea", Medal "For Service in the Special Forces", Badge "Officer 1st Class", Badge "Instructor Parachutist", Badge "Graduation from a Higher Education Institution"

On March 16, 2022, he acted as part of a reconnaissance detachment performing activities on clearing Azovstalskaya street in Mariupol. In the course of advancement reconnaissance detachment encountered outnumbering militants of the Azov Battalion, as a result of the ensuing battle, Major Kunakov received a gunshot wound to the leg. He refused to leave the battlefield and retreat to the rear, continuing instead directing the fire of the units together with the squadron commanders. At this time, the commander of the detachment decided to take up defense in a 5-story building.

On the second day of the battle, fighters of the Azov Battalion introduced reinforcements consisting of 3 T-64 tanks into the battle, but the squad personnel continued to hold their ground bravely.

During the third day of the battle, the Azov personnel twice came out to negotiate with the proposal that Kunakov's men lay down their arms, but the men, remaining faithful to their sworn duty, refused to lay down their arms. The parliamentarians were sent to hell instead. Surrounded, they continued to fight.

On March 19, 2022 on the fourth day of continuous fighting, the detachment units together with the personnel of the 810th Marines broke through the encirclement and proceeded to evacuate the wounded and killed. During the evacuation the BTR-82A carrying Major Kunakov was hit by an enemy tank. Despite multiple wounds Major Kunakov continued to lead the evacuation of his comrades. At the second hit of the tank shell he received wounds incompatible with life.