Serhii Yu. Chyrchenko (Odesa)

Senior Lieutenant Serhii Chyrchenko (call sign Odesa) was killed on June 15, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission near the village of Levadne in the Zaporizhzhia region. The officer did not live to see his 47th birthday, exactly two months short. Serhii was born in Potsdam (Germany) to a military family. He lived in Zaporizhzhia. In 1998, he graduated from the Military Academy (Odesa) with a specialization in "Artillery Armament". From 1998 to 2001, he served as a platoon commander for weapons repair in military unit A1729 (Zaporizhzhia). In 2006, he independently opened his own official auto repair shop and worked as an entrepreneur in the field of car repair and maintenance. With the start of the full-scale invasion, the man was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Initially, he was assigned to military unit A7038, but on March 4, he was drafted into the position of an officer in the military registration and conscription department for sergeants and soldiers. In January 2023, Serhii was transferred to the 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He took the position of deputy company commander and went to the front. "Serhii said: 'We are doing hard work' and 'Everything will be fine'." He gave the highest treasure - his life - for a free Ukraine, its freedom and independence. He was only 46 years old, he had many dreams and plans for a peaceful life after the war in Ukraine. His death became a heavy irreparable loss, a great sorrow for his wife, family and close friends. The beloved husband will forever remain in the memory and heart as a bright, strong, real, loving and smiling person," said the officer's wife, Maryna Rusyeva. The defender was buried in Odesa. Serhii is survived by his parents, sisters, wife and children.