Ivan Pirozhenko was born in Mykolaiv. From a young age, he was devoted to movement and sport — playing football and training in swimming. Athletics shaped his character early on, instilling in him discipline, endurance, and a deep sense of responsibility.
From 2001 to 2003, he completed his compulsory military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He later graduated from the Mykolaiv College of Trade and Economics, earning a qualification as a culinary technologist. He worked and pursued entrepreneurial ventures, yet sport remained an essential part of his life.
Beginning in 2013, he trained systematically in the gym. In 2016, he took up powerlifting, specializing in the deadlift and barbell squats. In time, he fulfilled the standard required for the title of Master of Sport in powerlifting.
From 2018 onward, he competed in bodybuilding at the professional level. He was a two-time Vice Champion of Ukraine, a silver medalist at the Kharkiv Championship, and a bronze medalist at the “Mister Perfect” tournament in Lviv.
He worked as a personal trainer, provided nutritional guidance, and helped athletes prepare for competitions. He studied Physical Culture and Sports at the Khmelnytskyi Institute of Social Technologies of the “Ukraine” University. He planned to continue competing at national and European levels.
In early July 2022, following the start of the full-scale invasion, Ivan left his business and coaching career to defend the state in the ranks of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. He served at the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and later carried out combat missions in the Donetsk direction — near Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar. In 2023, Chief Sergeant Ivan Pirozhenko transferred to the 5th Border Detachment, serving in the Sumy region and defending the state border.
On 1 June 2025, Ivan Pirozhenko was killed in action while carrying out a combat mission in the Sumy region. He was 42 years old.
His family, brothers-in-arms, and friends remember him as a responsible and reliable man who always saw things through to the end — both in sport and in service.
On the official website of the President of Ukraine, a petition to award Chief Sergeant Ivan Volodymyrovych Pirozhenko the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously) gathered the required 25,000 signatures of support.
Eternal memory to the Defender of Ukraine.