Denys O. Yankovets (Dendi)

Sergeant Major Denys Yankovets (call sign Dendi) was killed on September 24, 2022, in the area of the village of Seredne in Donetsk region. While carrying out a combat mission, he and his comrades came under enemy tank fire and sustained fatal injuries. On October 11, the defender would have turned 28 years old. Denys was born in the city of Malyn in Zhytomyr region. In 2015, he graduated from the National University of Ukraine of Physical Education and Sports. He was interested in cycling. Since 2016, he served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He participated in the ATO / JFO. At the time of the full-scale war, he was performing combat missions in Donetsk region as part of the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade. He held the position of Sergeant Major of the reconnaissance company. From the first day of the invasion until his last battle, he bravely and devotedly defended Ukraine from Russian occupiers. During his service, Denys Yankovets received numerous awards, including badges for "Exemplary Service," "Achievements in Military Service" of the I and II degrees, and the medal "For Assistance to Military Intelligence of Ukraine" of the II degree. He was posthumously awarded the Order of "For Courage" of the III degree. "The word of this sergeant was so significant that the brigade commander personally trusted him, could assign him combat tasks, and knew that Denys would handle them," noted a comrade of the fallen. "During the execution of combat and reconnaissance missions on the eastern front, he proved himself to be a professional and courageous leader, becoming one of the best and most authoritative field commanders of the 95th. He met the full-scale invasion of the Russians in Donetsk region. Together with his group, he continued to carry out stunning and effective reconnaissance raids, paving the way for his assault comrades. In critical situations, he acted bravely, calmly, and responsibly. Thanks to the reconnaissance data obtained by Denys's group, numerous successful operations were carried out to destroy enemy equipment and personnel, as well as to liberate occupied Ukrainian territories," reported on the page of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The paratrooper was buried in the Alley of Heroes at the cemetery in his hometown. Denys is survived by his mother, sister, wife, son, daughter, and other relatives, friends, and comrades.