Serhii V. Smereka (Smereka)

Soldier Serhiy Smereka was killed on October 21, 2022, during a battle with occupiers near Bakhmut in Donetsk region. The warrior was 42 years old. Serhiy was from the city of Shepetivka in Khmelnytskyi region. He studied at school No. 3. He then graduated from Rivne Economic and Humanitarian University, earning a degree in physical education teaching. After his compulsory military service, he worked as a driver of special vehicles for many years. He was passionate about cars and could drive anything from a passenger car to a fuel truck and a manipulator. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, Serhiy joined the volunteer formation of Shepetivka. In May, he decided to enlist in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 214th separate special battalion "OPFOR." He was a grenade launcher and performed combat missions in Dnipropetrovsk and Kherson regions. "Sadness and pain are again in our thoughts and hearts. Sleep peacefully, friend. Forgive us. But know that your life for Ukraine was not given in vain. The occupiers will soon face retribution," the Shepetivka volunteer formation wrote on their page. "Serhiy believed that defending his land, people, and family was his duty. He said that if he didn't go, he wouldn't be able to look his sons in the eyes after the war. He knew and understood that he couldn't do otherwise and made every effort to bring victory closer," reported the Shepetivka City Council. "A very positive person, he always came to help," noted the wife of the fallen. The defender was buried at the Alley of Glory in his hometown. Serhiy is survived by his mother Lidiya Ivanivna, wife Olena, and sons Dmytro and Valentyn.