Former goalkeeper of the Ukrainian youth national team, Oleksandr Yatsenko, went missing in action at the front.
He played for several teams, including “Borysfen” from Boryspil, FC “Bordyanka,” and “Zirka” Kyiv. In the Ukrainian Youth Football League (DYUFLU), he played 21 matches; under the auspices of the AAFU – 1 match, and under the PFL – 2 matches. He was called up to the youth national team of Ukraine (U-17).
His talent as a goalkeeper was evident from childhood. A graduate of the local youth sports school (DYUSSH), he was one of the leaders of the Bordyanka youth team, which won the national final of the “Leather Ball” competition in 2000 at the Crimean “Artek” center. He was repeatedly a champion and cup winner of the Boryspil district championship, playing for FC “Bordyanka” and FC “Rubin,” and was named the best goalkeeper of Boryspil seven times. With the Boyarka “Ergopak” team, he won the Kyiv region Cup and Super Cup (2003), and with FC “Bordyanka,” he became a prizewinner of the Kyiv regional championship (2020). He was known for his mastery of saving penalties, excellent reaction time, skillful exits, and goal-line performances. He also worked as a coach for children at the Piskivka Youth Sports School.
A fighter with the call sign “Goalkeeper,” he volunteered to defend Ukraine, serving in the 204th Battalion and was attached to the 58th Brigade of the 13th Battalion in a combined company. Yatsenko fought near Bakhmut in the village of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. He has been missing since May 27. His death has not been officially confirmed, but there has been no news of Oleksandr Yatsenko’s fate since May 2022.