Of those like him, it is said: he was not made a warrior; he was born one. Valeriy Rodionov, a boxer, died defending Ukraine from Russian invaders.
He was born on December 19, 1988, in Sevastopol. In school, he became passionate about boxing and joined the Spartak sports school. After eight years of dedicated training, he earned numerous victories in the ring and, on August 1, 2004, received the title of Candidate for Master of Sports in boxing. This honor was granted for his first-place finish at the Championship of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Even as a child, his fighting spirit showed, and the skills he developed in sports would serve him well in the future.
In September 2006, Valeriy entered the European University in Kyiv, studying law. Yet, he did not forget his athletic pursuits, switching from boxing gloves to a basketball. In his second year, he led his team to victory in the university basketball tournament.
At the same time, in 2008, he began studies at the National Defense University of Ukraine. His family says that he had dreamed of a military career since childhood, and this decision reflected his inner conviction, influenced in part by his mother’s own military background.
On November 8, 2011, he was promoted to junior lieutenant, and in June, he graduated with a degree in law.
During his years of study in the capital, Valeriy made friends and met the love of his life. On September 15, 2010, he met his future wife, Diana, and they remained together for the next 13 and a half years, as he had promised.
Valeriy began his professional career as a district police inspector in the Darniy District of Kyiv. Later, he transferred to the investigative department, became a senior investigator, and earned the rank of captain.
From September 11, 2015, to February 1, 2020, he was assigned to the General Prosecutor’s Office, where he joined the interdepartmental group of the Special Investigations Department. He was later dispatched to work at the State Bureau of Investigations.
When the full-scale invasion began, Valeriy, along with his family, was in the capital. During those early days of panic and the following months, he continued his police service, patrolling the city and protecting its citizens. In December 2022, he joined the National Police’s “Safari” battalion, and on February 17, 2023, he became deputy commander of the Special Purpose Police Department of the United Assault Brigade of the National Police of Ukraine “Lut.”
But that was not enough for him; he wanted to be at the heart of the action, to defend his homeland and do everything in his power for Ukraine’s victory. Diana says that Valeriy was never afraid, and he never even entertained the thought of sitting safely away from the frontlines when the fight for life was underway. So, on April 18, 2023, he left the police and, in June, joined the “Artan” Special Operations Unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Diana says that this was the place where he had always wanted to be. He participated in numerous operations, including the defense of Snake Island. No challenge scared him; he had spent years preparing and training to accomplish the toughest tasks. Even if he had known it was a one-way road, he would not have changed his decision. He was not made a warrior; he was born one. But like all of us, Valeriy loved life, wanted to live, and made plans for the future. He was always smiling, positive, just, and principled.
Joining the special forces was truly terrifying for his wife. She realized how difficult and dangerous the missions her husband carried out were. She couldn’t find peace at home when he left for another combat mission, but she admits that this was the job that made Valeriy truly happy. Diana wished he had a calmer job, one that didn’t put his life in constant danger, but refusing him was impossible. She felt it would have been selfish. For he was a warrior in spirit, called to it.
What Valeriy and his comrades call their “job” is something most of us can barely imagine. He fought in the hottest points of conflict, completing tasks at the limit of human capability. And from time to time, when he had a break, he came home to see his family.
Before he started his service, Valeriy’s avatar featured “Venom,” a character from a superhero film. That was the call sign he chose for himself in the military.
He truly seemed like a person with superhuman abilities, but war has no mercy and takes the best sons of Ukraine every day. On March 15, 2024, while on a combat mission, Valeriy Rodionov was killed by blast trauma…
On March 24, the hero was laid to rest in Kyiv. At home, his parents, sister, and beloved wife waited for him until the very end…