Serhii M. Lysiuk (Aspirant)

38-year-old Senior Sergeant Serhii Lysiuk (call sign Aspirant) died on November 22, 2023, in a hospital in Kyiv. On November 6, in the area of the village of Stepove, Donetsk region, during the execution of a combat mission to storm enemy positions, the car in which Serhii was traveling ran over an anti-tank mine. Even with severe injuries, the soldier was conscious and helped his comrades who were providing first aid to him and his brothers-in-arms. Doctors fought for his life for two weeks, but the defender's heart could not withstand. Serhii was born in Chernihiv. In 2011, he graduated from the postgraduate program at the Taras Shevchenko National University "Chernihiv Colehium". He wrote and published articles in scientific publications about the features of kickboxing training, the development of martial arts, and so on. It was for this reason, as well as for his thirst for learning and a scientific approach to everything he was involved in, that he received his call sign at the front - "Aspirant". The man adored sports and dedicated his life to it. He was a member of the Ukrainian national kickboxing team. For almost 20 years, he represented Ukraine in international competitions. From 2009 to 2019, he worked as a senior lecturer at the Department of Physical Training of the Academy of the State Penitentiary Service. From 2020 to 2022, he was a category 2 controller of the court protection service. In parallel with this, he headed the separate divisions of the Chernihiv Regional Kickboxing Federation ISKA and VTKA. From the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Serhii took up the defense of the Motherland. At first, he fought as part of the Chernihiv Territorial Defense Forces and repelled the attack of enemy forces on his native city. Then he voluntarily enlisted in the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the separate Special Operations Center "West" named after Prince Iziaslav Mstyslavych. He held the position of senior flamethrower operator. He took part in trainings in the United Kingdom and Lithuania. He received the qualification of a scout in Berdychiv. Later, he defended the eastern direction of the front. "Serhii was an Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine in kickboxing, a member of the Ukrainian national kickboxing team, a multiple champion and medalist of world and European championships, a coach who for many years was the mentor of young Ukrainian athletes. In 2023, shortly before Serhii's death, two of his students became WTKA kickboxing world champions. His long sports career is an example of courage, skill, and perseverance. Serhii was always an example for many - as an athlete and as a person. Ukrainian sports have lost an outstanding athlete, mentor, a person who was a role model for many generations and who could have done so much more for the development of kickboxing in Ukraine. Unbearable pain and grief for the whole society - the loss of an outstanding athlete, a man of honor and a warrior who all his life glorified Ukraine in the ring and on the battlefield and, without hesitation, gave the most precious thing - his life," his wife Olena said. Serhii was buried in the Yatsevo cemetery in Chernihiv. The warrior is survived by his wife and son. Posthumously, the defender was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.