Serhii V. Filonenko (Fil)

29-year-old paratrooper Serhii Filonenko (call sign Fil) was killed on October 20, 2023 near the village of Novoprokopivka in the Zaporizhzhia region. While carrying out a combat mission, he sustained fatal injuries as a result of a direct hit on his bunker by an enemy mine. A month later, on November 23, the defender was to marry his beloved, which he had dreamed of. Serhii was born in the village of Kobzartsi, Mykolaiv region. He studied at the Snihuriv secondary school. In 2012, he graduated from the Snihuriv vocational school and obtained the profession of a builder. He worked in his field and was very passionate about this work, constantly improving his knowledge and skills. He mostly earned abroad, where his work was in high demand, as Serhii was a good master. Fishing was his rest. He planned to get married and wanted to build a house with panoramic windows for his family in a cozy place with his own hands. He dreamed that there would be a lot of children's laughter in it. In March 2023, the man was drafted into the airborne assault troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 46th separate airmobile brigade, holding the position of a platoon commander. As part of his unit, he defended the hottest areas of the front. "Serhii was very kind, sensitive, courageous, reliable, the best son, father, husband, friend and comrade. Always smiling and positive, he was happy, despite everything! He rejoiced in every day and each day with him was special. It was calm and cozy next to him. He always did what he wanted, without paying attention to what others would say. And what golden hands he had - everything he touched turned into the beauty that lived in his soul. Among friends and comrades, he was an authority and a person who always walked side by side. He had big plans for the future, wanted to live in a free and independent Ukraine, start a family... I will never forget his words: "Do what your heart desires, and never think about what others will think of you." I miss him very much," said the fallen defender's fiancée Natalia Shaluyeva. The hero is buried in his native village. His mother, fiancée, daughter, son, sisters, relatives and close ones did not wait for their defender to return from the war.