On 11 September 2026, Ukraine lost one of its Defenders, Junior Sergeant Denys Fando. He was killed near the village of Tavriiske in Zaporizhzhia Oblast while carrying out a combat mission. On 17 September, his family, friends, comrades, colleagues and former pupils gathered in his native Kropyvnytskyi to bid him a final farewell.
Denys Fando was born on 25 November 1979 in Kropyvnytskyi. His professional life was closely intertwined with sport for many years. After graduating from Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University, Denys Fando worked as a coach and teacher at the Invasport Rehabilitation Children’s and Youth Sports School for Athletes with Disabilities. In July 2006, he became the head of the institution.
For him, coaching was about far more than preparing athletes for competitions. He helped children and young people overcome physical and psychological difficulties, gain confidence, discover their own abilities and take their first steps in sport. Over the years, Denys Fando trained several generations of athletes.
A particularly important part of his professional work was the development of children’s and youth Paralympic and Deaflympic sport. His pupils represented Ukraine at national and international competitions, carrying their country’s flag onto the sporting stage.
Then the war entered Denys Fando’s life. In January 2023, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After completing military training, he served as the commander of an engineer and demining squad.
For his military service, Denys Fando received awards from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, including the Cross of Valour, the Cossack Cross and the Cross of the Land Forces. He held the status of a war veteran and combatant.
On 11 September, the warrior’s life journey came to an end in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Denys Fando was killed in battle.
In Kropyvnytskyi, the Hero was accompanied on his final journey by those who had shared different chapters of his life: his family, brothers-in-arms, colleagues, friends and the athletes he had coached.
Eternal memory and honour to the Defender of Ukraine.