Viktor M. Holovii-Khmeliar (Khmel)

Sergeant Major Viktor Holovii-Khmiliar (call sign Khmil) died on November 29, 2023, during a mortar attack near the village of Vilshana in the Kharkiv region. Viktor was 43 years old. He was born in the village of Zabolottia in the Volyn region. He studied at the local school. After his military service, he graduated from the Nogai State Agrotechnical College with a degree in "Organization and Technology of Farming". He dedicated his entire life to service - first as a border guard, and then joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He defended Ukraine in the Donetsk region. Since June 2020, he has been serving under contract in the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade. There he held the position of platoon sergeant major. Later, he was promoted to company sergeant major and then battalion sergeant major. Viktor loved animals. He was a qualified dog handler. In his free time, he cooked deliciously, was interested in weapons, and used them skillfully on combat missions. He dreamed of the end of the war, his own family business, and a cozy home corner by the lake where he could spend time with his children. During the full-scale war, he defended Ukraine as part of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great. He held the position of battalion sergeant major of the motorized infantry battalion. He received more than 10 awards, including the "War Veteran" and "Participant of the ATO" badges, the Sergeant's Coin, the "Prince's Cross of the Hero 'Forever in the Ranks'" award, and the award of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. "Vitia was extraordinarily kind, honest, fair, and brave. He had authority not only among the sergeants but also among the officers. He always had his own opinion on everything. He was a man of his word for his comrades-in-arms, a caring dad for the children, and a support for his parents, brother, and sisters. He was a beloved boyfriend and a true friend with a sincere soul. He was a fearless fighter, whom people always followed, no matter how difficult the battle was... Although his position allowed him not to be on the front lines, Viktor said: 'My guys are there, and I have to be there too.' He had an incredibly sincere smile, kind eyes, but he had unwavering determination, resilience, and mercilessness towards the enemy," said the deceased's beloved girlfriend, Tetiana Pavlovska. The warrior was buried in his native village. At home, Viktor was awaited by his parents, two sons, a daughter, two sisters, a brother, and his beloved girlfriend.