Volodymyr O. Ilchenko (Khmel)

Soldier Volodymyr Ilchenko (call sign Khmel) was killed on December 17, 2023 near the village of Synkivka in the Kharkiv region. During the performance of a combat mission, he sustained a mine-explosive injury incompatible with life. The warrior remained forever 25 years old. Volodymyr was from the village of Korpylivka in the Khmilnytskyi region. When he was 14 years old, he became an orphan. He obtained a secondary specialized education as a welder. He worked at the production enterprise "Agrotech-mash". In his free time, he adored football, table tennis, and fishing. He lived in the city of Krasyliv. He was mobilized for military service in October 2023. He underwent training and joined the ranks of the 95th separate airborne assault brigade. He held the position of senior rifleman. "Vovchyk was a wonderful man and dad. We've been together since we were 14 years old... He is the best of the people I know. Always smiling, polite, cheerful, reliable. A good friend, colleague, always ready to help. He had authority among his comrades-in-arms. He loved life very much, dreamed of seeing his daughter run into his arms, but unfortunately was killed without seeing her live. I feel his love even now. I believe that he is nearby and protects us," wrote his wife Lesya Ilchenko. Volodymyr was buried on the Alley of Heroes in the city of Krasyliv. The defender left behind a daughter Emilia, wife Lesya, brother Leonid and sister Bohdana.