Born on December 11, 1973 in the city of Chuguiv. He studied at Chuguiv comprehensive school No. 5. Alexey received his secondary education only in 1995 in absentia, since he was forced to work before the army to help his family. He loved music from childhood. He played the guitar and sang very well. He made several guitars himself, because he did crafts and carved wood. He loved fishing. Since 2019, Alexey has lived with his family in the village of Kochetok.
During 1992-1994 he served in the military service. After the army he served in the guard regiment of the Donets Water Treatment Complex. In the late 90s he served in the internal affairs bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region. For nine years he served under a contract in the 203rd training aviation brigade (military unit A 4104) as a senior rifleman. In 2004 he graduated from the aviation training center with a degree in rifleman, and in 2008 he studied under the program for training firefighters of military fire departments. After the end of the contract, since 2010, he served for nine years in the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine.
In 2020, Oleksiy again signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was sent to serve in the 355th Training Mechanized Regiment as a senior soldier. He participated in the ATO/JFO in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. On March 27, 2024, he was transferred to the mechanized battalion of the 116th separate mechanized brigade (vch A 4722).
«"Olexey constantly sought to improve in military affairs, maintained morale in the unit and courageously overcame all difficulties. Oleksiy remained a faithful son of Ukraine until his last breath, bravely resisting the invader trying to destroy our people" - this is how his comrades characterize Oleksiy.
Alexey is survived by his wife and daughter.
«"Alexey was always a very positive, kind, caring and loving man, he loved life, his family, his friends very much. He was a festive person, always smiling and joyful, he believed only in the best, that only a peaceful and happy life lay ahead. He had many dreams and desires, but he did not have time," - Tatyana Ilyakova.
During his service, Oleksiy was repeatedly encouraged for his diligence, conscientious performance of his duties, exemplary military discipline, and high professionalism displayed while performing assigned tasks.
Circumstances of death:
In March 2025, the unit in which Oleksiy Ilyakov, together with his comrades, defended the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine, was performing a combat mission in the Kupyansk direction near the settlement of Holubivka. On March 17, 2025, at about 15:00, the enemy launched an air strike with guided aerial bombs on the unit's strongpoint. As a result of enemy shelling and the KAB hitting the dugout, Oleksiy received injuries incompatible with life.
Alexey was buried on March 20, 2025 in the village of Kochetok at the local cemetery.
Alexey Ilyakov was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage, 3rd degree
DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE No. 394/2025
About honoring with state awards of Ukraine
For personal courage, selfless actions shown in protecting the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, exemplary performance of military duty I decide:
To be awarded the Order "For Courage" of the 3rd degree
ILYAKOV Alexey Anatolyevich (posthumously) - senior soldier
President of Ukraine V. ZELENSKYI
June 9, 2025
The state award was presented to the wife of the fallen soldier, Tatyana Ilyakova, by the Deputy Head of the Chuguiv City Military Administration, Igor Shepelev, and the Deputy Head of the Chuguiv RTCC and SP, Volodymyr Fedotov.