Ivan V. Ishchenko

Ishchenko Ivan Vasylovych was born on October 19, 1991, in the village of Trudove, Polohivskyi district of Zaporizhzhia region. He was extremely compassionate and humane, always helping those in need and perceiving the troubles of others as his own. His colleagues and relatives are still struggling to cope with the painful loss. "I have known Ivan for a very long time, over 13 years. He was like a brother to me. If there was a person in your life whom you could rely on at any time, come to with a problem or share joy or sorrow, then you will understand what a loss I have suffered," says Ivan's comrade Oleg Teslenko. After school, Ivan graduated from Donetsk University of Economics and Law, worked in a bank, and in the tax inspection. With a keen sense of justice and a desire to help people, Ivan became a law enforcement officer. In 2017, he began his service as a district police officer at one of the departments of the Polohivskyi RVP of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Zaporizhzhia region, and just four years later, for his conscientious performance of official duties, he was promoted to the position of head of the police activity sector No. 1 (town of Rozivka) of police department No. 2 of the Polohivskyi RVP. In his free time, Ivan loved playing football and traveling. Sports became an integral part of his life, and his desire to reach new heights helped him conquer Hoverla. Most of his free time, the policeman dedicated to his family — his wife and little daughter. Acquaintances remember him as an exemplary family man and a loving father. The 31-year-old law enforcement officer dedicated 6 years of his life to service in preventive activity units. During the most challenging times for the country, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops, he left the temporarily occupied territory and continued to serve on the front line. "I have known Ivan since 2015; we met through football. Back then, he was still a civilian. When the war began, he met it as a worthy officer — on duty. During the occupation, he was in captivity for some time. Yet, despite all the trials, he remained faithful to his homeland and the Ukrainian people," recounts his colleague Serhii Blid. Ensuring public safety in areas close to combat, supporting the local population, providing medical assistance to those affected by Russian shelling, and serving at checkpoints became the new norm during the war. "He was the initiator of our evacuation from the temporarily occupied territory. From the very first days, when we arrived in Zaporizhzhia, we decided to serve in frontline areas, shoulder to shoulder, like brothers, because our people are there, and they need support," colleagues recall. On August 12, 2023, the police, as usual, arrived at their duty station in the city of Orikhiv. Together with others, Ivan Ishchenko took his position at the checkpoint. After a while, an explosion occurred. An enemy shell detonated in the air, and the police found themselves almost at the epicenter of the blast. "The day the tragedy occurred, I will remember forever. Unfortunately, we found Vanya without signs of life. Human efforts were not enough to save him... It is extremely hard and painful to recall that event," recalls Serhii Blid. The policeman died at one of the security checkpoints, leaving behind a bright memory and an unquenchable pain in his relatives, close ones, and comrades. For personal courage and dedication shown in the defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for conscientious service to the Ukrainian people, Ishchenko Ivan Vasylovych was posthumously awarded the Presidential Award of Ukraine "For the Defense of Ukraine" and the "Defender of the Fatherland" medal.