Born on September 4, 1979 in Kharkiv, the son of an engineer and a preschool teacher. In 1996, he graduated from Kharkiv Secondary School No. 134 with an in-depth study of German. This is the same school that was captured by Russian special forces in late February 2022, who managed to break through to Kharkiv, and whose photos have been circulated around the world.
In 2001, he graduated from Kharkiv Military University with a degree in "Anti-aircraft Weapons Complexes and Systems" with the qualification of radio engineer, tactical-level military command officer. After graduating from Kharkiv Military University, he arrived at the city of Chuguiv on assignment to his place of service with his family, who still lives in the city.
Until 2018, he served in the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade. He began his service with the rank of lieutenant as the commander of an anti-aircraft missile and artillery battery. He ended his service in the brigade as the deputy commander of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery division for armament.
Since 2014, as part of the 92nd separate mechanized brigade, he has defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, worthily performing combat missions in all directions of the ATO/JFO in the territory of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. From 2018 to 2021, he held the position of deputy military commissar for territorial defense in the Chuguiv RTCC and the Kharkiv region joint venture OK "East" of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2021, he was discharged from military service to the reserve.
From the first days of the full-scale invasion, already on February 24, 2022, at his own request, he was called up for military service upon mobilization and subsequently served in the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade of the Regional Directorate of the STO "East" of the STO of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as the head of the headquarters training department and the head of the joint fire support department. Together with his brothers, he defended his native Chuguiv region and the Kharkiv region as a whole from the aggressor, took an active part in the liberation of the city of Izyum and in the battles in the Bakhmut direction.
In March 2022, during battles in the Kharkiv direction, he received a shrapnel wound to the soft tissues of his left lower limb. Despite the wound, he continued to take all measures necessary to ensure the defense of the Kharkiv region from the Russian aggressor.
He wore the call sign "Square", because he was fond of exact sciences. He loved geometry, algebra, physics, and spoke German. He had an honest and straightforward character, considered the square to be the most interesting figure in the world of mathematics and associated himself and his inner world with it. His comrades-in-arms, subordinates, and commanders with whom Igor Olegovich had to endure years of military service, speak of him as follows: "A true officer and patriot", "A man with a capital letter in every sense", "A commander who had unconditional trust and respect.".
Igor Olehovych was repeatedly awarded with diplomas, thanks, commemorative medals and medals of II-III degrees from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for conscientious service and combat and tactical achievements. According to his relatives, he considered the "MEDA FOR THE LIBERATION OF KHARKIV REGION" and "MEDA FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE HERO CITY OF KHARKIV" to be the most valuable for him.
Circumstances of death:
Unfortunately, the long years of war seriously affected his health, and therefore in 2024 he was transferred to the Chuguiv RTCC and SP of the Kharkiv region to the position of head of the administrative department. Despite the fact that the disease progressed, he continued to fulfill his duties to defend Ukraine. On 07.02.2025, at the age of 45, Lieutenant Colonel Kuleshov died from diseases related to the defense of the Motherland.
Igor Olegovich was buried at the local cemetery in the village of Klugino-Bashkyrivka.