Serhii S. Yanchenko (Batiushka)

33-year-old junior sergeant Serhii Yanchenko (call sign Batyushka) was killed on March 4, 2023 in a battle near the village of Dibrova in the Luhansk region during the evacuation of wounded comrades. The defender's life was cut short by a bullet from an enemy sniper. Serhii was born in the city of Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv region. He lived in Kyiv. He worked as a department manager at a company. In his free time, he loved to read books, drink delicious coffee, and communicate with his loved ones. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the man went as a volunteer to the territorial defense. He served in the 244th separate battalion of the 112th brigade of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was a sapper and a squad commander in the engineer-sapper platoon. During his service, he was awarded a thank-you note "For a significant personal contribution to strengthening the defense of Kyiv, exemplary performance of duties and high professionalism." He took part in the liberation of the Kyiv region. Later, their unit was transferred to the Kharkiv region, where Serhii was engaged in demining. After the rotation, they went to the Luhansk region. "Serhii was a very intelligent, well-read person. Always responsible and honest. Always with a smile and a touch of black humor. Closed in himself, but without unnecessary questions, he came to help others. He knew how to listen, support, give good advice. He loved to discuss philosophical topics. He knew what he wanted and confidently went to his goals and dreams. When asked why he decided to go defend the country, he replied: "If not me, then who? I can't just sit and hide somewhere when there's a war going on. I can apply my knowledge and do something for the victory," said the deceased's beloved Anastasiia. The warrior was buried in his native Pervomaisk. Serhii is survived by his parents, younger brother, and wife.