Oleksandr P. Yermolenko (Vodolii)

Yermolenko Oleksandr Pavlovych was born on February 15, 1992, in the city of Hlukhiv, Shostka district, Sumy region. Since 2014, Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Yermolenko served in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. In June 2021, after graduating from the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny, he arrived for further service in the 9th Border Detachment. He served in the rapid response border command. Since April 22, 2023, he participated in activities to ensure the defense of Ukraine, protect the safety of the population, and safeguard the state's interests in connection with the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. During his time performing tasks in the zone of active hostilities, he demonstrated courage, a strong sense of patriotism, and responsibility for the entrusted mission of guarding and defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. On July 5, 2023, in the area of the village of Kovalivka, Luhansk region, Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Yermolenko, while carrying out a combat mission, was managing a mortar crew, destroying enemy forces. In response, the enemy launched a mortar attack and tank fire on the positions of the border guards, as a result of which Oleksandr Yermolenko sustained injuries incompatible with life and died on the spot. Oleksandr Yermolenko was the commander of the mortar border post and led the response group. He was a competent, reliable commander. He fought for his homeland, for the future of his children, and for all the fallen comrades... For personal courage, heroism, and selfless actions demonstrated in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for loyalty to the military oath, Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Pavlovych Yermolenko was posthumously awarded the Order of "For Courage" III degree.