Danylo I. Kononchuk (Dante)

Lieutenant Danylo Kononchuk was killed on June 21, 2023 in the Kharkiv region. During the performance of a combat mission, the officer was blown up by an enemy mine. Two days before his death, he turned 32 years old. Danylo was born in the city of Nizhyn, Chernihiv region. He studied at the local school No. 1 and the lyceum at Nizhyn University. From childhood, he was creative and talented, so his parents sent him to the art school. In 2013, he studied at the military department and received the initial officer rank. In 2015, he graduated with honors from the Nizhyn State University named after Mykola Gogol and obtained the qualification of a social pedagogy teacher. Three years later, he completed his postgraduate studies. He studied foreign languages, engaged in choreography and kickboxing. He worked as a social pedagogue at the Nizhyn Gymnasium No. 3. In 2021, he got a job as a video surveillance operator at the "SMART TEAM" company. He wrote poems, songs and music, and created the rock band "VYRII", which released the album "Facets of Dreams" in 2018. During the full-scale war, Danylo joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the military unit A4883. "A powerful intellectual, a promising scientist, a unique poet, an original and talented musician, a propagandist of a healthy lifestyle, a selfless patriot. And also - a grateful son, a wonderful brother, a loving husband and father, a reliable friend, a modest young man and an extraordinary creative personality. On June 19, he celebrated his 32nd birthday. I knew him for over 20 years and was sincerely impressed by this guy. For some time, I served with him in the same unit," wrote his friend Yevhen Luniak. The officer was buried in his hometown. Danylo is survived by his mother, wife, daughter, relatives and friends.