Serhii A. Smilianets (Kep)

Junior Sergeant Serhii Smilianiets (call sign Kep) was killed on July 14, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission in the area of the village of Hryhorivka in the Donetsk region. The defender received a fatal explosive injury. He was 53 years old. Serhii was born in the village of Kochubiivka, Cherkasy region. He lived in Uman. He obtained the profession of an automotive painter at a vocational school. In 1988-1990, he served in the air defense missile troops in Germany. For 32 years, he worked in his specialty. Before the invasion, he was working in the UK. He loved to rest and camp with his family. He enthusiastically watched feature films and TV series on military themes. During the full-scale war, the man joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend his country and family from the enemy. He served in the 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade. He held the position of a grenade launcher assistant in the assault platoon. During his service, the soldier was awarded the badge "Badge of Honor" and also honored with a commemorative letter from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Sociable, wise and prudent, a good conversationalist and a reliable friend. A true master of his home. A person of a sincere soul - this is how he will remain in the memory of all those who knew him and whom he loved so much," said the deceased's younger daughter Karyna. The warrior was buried in the "Sofiivska Slobodka" cemetery in Uman. At home, he was awaited by his mother, wife, two daughters and a grandson.