Serhii O. Krepchenko

48-year-old Major Serhii Krepchenko died on March 2, 2022, during a combat sortie of a tank column in the Kharkiv region as a result of a missile and bomb attack by enemy aviation. The officer saved the lives of cadets by pulling them out of tanks and armored personnel carriers, but he himself died as a result of an explosive injury. Serhii was born in the city of Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region. He studied at school No. 1 named after I. Yu. Repin. In 1994, he graduated from the Kharkiv Guards Higher Tank Command School. He was a course officer of the training course of the Faculty of Armaments and Military Equipment at his alma mater. In 2014-2015, he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation. In 2018, he retired and worked in a private company. He was passionate about cars and spent his free time with his family. On February 24, 2022, the officer returned to service. He continued to work as a course officer of the training course of the Faculty of Armaments and Military Equipment of the Military Institute of Tank Troops of NTU "KhPI". "A kind, caring, the best man who loved his country and family. Very brave, dedicated to the military profession and service and protection of the Motherland," his wife Natalia described the deceased. The hero was buried in cemetery No. 18 in Kharkiv. He is survived by his parents, sister, wife, and daughter. Posthumously, Serhii Krepchenko was awarded the Order of Courage of the III degree.