Oleh R. Kovalenko (Koval)

23-year-old Sergeant Oleh Kovalenko (call sign Koval) was killed on April 21, 2024 near the settlement of Urozhaine in the Donetsk region. During a fierce battle under fire, he pulled out wounded comrades. He managed to save three of his comrades, but then his life was cut short by an enemy mine. Oleh was born in the city of Dnipro. He lived in the settlement of Cherkaska. He graduated from the Dnipro Center for Vocational Education and obtained the profession of a vehicle repair mechanic and an electrician for the repair and maintenance of electrical equipment. In civilian life, he worked in various fields and positions: he was a refueler, a construction worker, and a security guard. He practiced boxing, participated in competitions, and constantly worked on his physical development. He also loved football. He was passionate about military affairs. At the age of 18, he went to serve under contract in the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar". He participated in combat operations in the Donbas. Then he entered the Military Institute of Tank Troops of NTU "KhPI", but after the 1st course he left his studies and went as a volunteer to the army. During the full-scale war, Oleh served in the State Special Transport Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. He was a combat medic in the assault company. "Oleh is a true comrade, a man with a capital letter, polite and brave, an example of what a man of our nation should be," said his childhood friend Oleksandr Matvieiev. The hero was buried in the village of Vilne in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Oleh is survived by his parents.