Volodymyr was a bright child who came into the world on November 3, 2005. He was named after his grandfather—and fate arranged that they would rest side by side even after death: below lies the grave of the elder Volodymyr, and above it, the grave of his grandson, whose life lasted only sixteen years.
He was born on November 3, 2005, in Mariupol. An only child, he grew up calm, attentive, and kind—always finding a way to help others: his mother, neighbors, friends.
From early childhood, Volodymyr gravitated toward sports: he played football until late in the evening, practiced swimming and taekwondo. He repeatedly took part in numerous competitions, bringing home certificates and awards. Sports became an important part of his life—a kind of calling that shaped his character. He loved to travel: he explored Ukraine and Europe, always returning with the conviction that he saw his future only in Ukraine.
The full-scale war found Volodymyr at home. He witnessed the destruction of Mariupol and wanted to be useful—carrying water, helping neighbors, supporting those who remained nearby. In those days, he spoke a lot with his mother, searching for answers to difficult questions, trying to understand what was happening to his city and his country.
On March 15, 2022, a Russian shell struck the building at 112 Budivelnykiv Avenue. Volodymyr was outside the entrance at that moment with his second cousin, Edvin. Both were killed instantly. It happened in a city that was losing its residents every single day.
At first, the boys were buried in the courtyard, and in the summer they were reburied in the cemeteries of Mariupol. Volodymyr’s mother managed to leave the occupied city only months later, taking with her her son’s documents—the only thing she could save.
Volodymyr was only sixteen. He had athletic achievements, a thirst for knowledge, plans for the future, and a sincere love for Ukraine. That is how he remains in the memory of those who knew him: a boy full of dreams, strength, and potential. But his life was cut short by the Russian invasion.