Petro V. Stepanenko (Chvanko)

Combat medic Petro Stepanenko (call sign Chvanko) was killed on July 8, 2023, while performing a combat mission near the village of Klishchiyivka in the Donetsk region. He did not live to see his 45th birthday by four days. Petro was from the Cherkasy region. He lived in the city of Shpola. He graduated from the Talyanky Technical School. He worked in construction in the capital. He loved nature and was engaged in horticulture. He devoted his free time to his family, which was the greatest value in his life. At the beginning of the full-scale war, on March 1, 2022, the man went to defend his country and family from the occupiers. He served in the 159th battalion of the 118th separate brigade of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "A family man, a builder, a gardener, a repairman in any field, the best father, husband, brother, nephew, friend, son. The most positive, bright, he recharged those around him with his energy. This is an incredible loss. This is a pain that no one will ever forget. This is a torn heart. Forever," shared the sister of the fallen Inna Tretyak. The soldier was buried in the cemetery in his hometown. Petro left behind a wife, daughter, other relatives, friends, and comrades-in-arms. Posthumously, Junior Sergeant Petro Stepanenko was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.