The war has claimed the life of another Ukrainian soldier and athlete who stood in defense of his homeland against the invaders. Volodymyr Demchenko, a water polo player from Kharkiv and a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was killed while carrying out a combat mission.
From the very first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he joined the ranks of the Ukrainian military. He served in a Heavy Mechanized Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces, risking his life each day for the future of Ukraine. He fought his final battle in June 2026 near Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region.
Before the war, Volodymyr was a well-known figure in Ukraine’s sporting community. A graduate of the Kharkiv Professional College of Sports, he was a distinguished water polo player and a Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine. As a member of the Kharkiv regional team, he won numerous national championship titles and medals. His talent, determination, and competitive spirit earned him a place on Ukraine’s junior and youth national water polo teams, where he represented his country at the European Junior and Youth Championships.
He is remembered as a man of strength, integrity, courage, and unwavering dedication. He first brought honor to Kharkiv and Ukraine in the sporting arena, and later took up arms to defend his homeland from the Russian invaders.
The memory of Volodymyr Demchenko will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, brothers-in-arms, teammates, coaches, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.