Bohdan Liahov was a young Ukrainian warrior who gave his life for the freedom and independence of Ukraine. A sapper in the sabotage and reconnaissance unit of the volunteer battalion “Bratstvo,” operating within the special forces of Tymur under the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, he perished alongside his comrades while carrying out a special mission in Russia’s Bryansk region.
Born on February 11, 2003, in Zhovti Vody, Dnipropetrovsk region, Bohdan was the only son in his family. From an early age, he was passionate about drawing, classical Ukrainian music, and sports, eventually becoming the champion of the Dnipropetrovsk region in track and field. He studied at the Zhovti Vody Industrial Vocational College of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, earning a degree in Enterprise Economics. After graduation, he moved to Kyiv, planning to start a clothing manufacturing business—but war changed his plans.
With the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, Bohdan attempted to join the Territorial Defense Forces, waiting in line for three days, only to be turned away due to recruitment closure. Determined to fight, he joined the volunteer battalion “Bratstvo,” underwent military training, and became a soldier.
He took part in combat operations in the Kharkiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia sectors. As part of a special unit, he patrolled borders, neutralized enemy sabotage groups, and participated in strategic operations on temporarily occupied territories.
On December 25, 2022, Bohdan Liahov, alongside his comrades—Yurii Horovets, Maksym Mykhailov, and Taras Karpiuk—was carrying out a combat mission in Russia’s Bryansk region. When confronted by enemy forces, the Ukrainian fighters refused to surrender, took up a circular defense, and fought to their last breath. They fell as true warriors, battling for Ukraine until their final moments.
After tireless efforts by comrades and family, the bodies of the four reconnaissance fighters were finally returned home on February 22, 2023. On March 7, a funeral service was held at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv, followed by a farewell ceremony at Independence Square. Bohdan Liahov was laid to rest at Baikove Cemetery.
Friends remember him as a bright and cheerful soul who always lifted spirits with his jokes. Even in the darkest moments, he never lost his optimism, possessing an unbreakable spirit and fearless nature. “Bohdan was like a sun among us—he laughed even when others would have cried,” his loved ones recall.
His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. He belonged to a generation of young heroes who chose to fight for their homeland instead of seeking a peaceful life. On December 30, 2022, a petition was registered on the President’s website to award Bohdan Liahov and his comrades the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously). It gathered the required 25,000 signatures and received the support of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Eternal light and glory to you, Bohdan. Your fight continues in our hearts.