Volodymyr V. Karpenko (Hrom)

22-year-old sergeant Volodymyr Karpenko (call sign Grom) was killed on August 11, 2022, in Donbass. Volodymyr was born in the village of Volodarka, Kyiv region. He graduated from secondary school No. 2 and Rzhyshchiv Professional Lyceum. He served in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. When the full-scale invasion began, the young man went to defend Ukraine as part of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians. He held the position of a gunner-zennitnik of the anti-aircraft missile platoon of the rifle battalion. However, rotation to the hot spots of Donetsk region became the last for Grom. He was killed near the city of Bakhmut, when Russian military shelled the positions of Ukrainian military with cluster mines. "We met at the checkpoint, where we served together. I am from the National Police, Volodymyr is from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I have never met a brighter person. And I will never forget his words: "Who, if not us, who will defend our native land?" He loved life so much, had so many plans, dreams... It's so lacking his support," said the warrior's friend Yulia Darchuk. The young defender was buried in his native village of Volodarka in the Kyiv region. At home, Volodymyr's mother, stepfather, and brothers were waiting for him.