While defending the country from invaders, the coach of hand-to-hand combat and MMA, as well as a teacher at the “Shturm” Youth Center in Dnipro, Oleksandr Lobanov, lost his life. During a combat mission in the Kharkiv region on April 19, 2023, he sustained injuries that were incompatible with life. The hero was only 35 years old.
From the first day of the full-scale war, he became an active volunteer, caring for the safety of his students and colleagues. Sincere, reserved, and dedicated to his craft, Oleksandr earned the trust and affection of his students, who called him “our kind coach.” His teaching career began in 2019 when he became a coach in hand-to-hand combat and MMA. In addition to his athletic achievements, he taught children to be responsible, honest, and courageous, helped organize summer wellness programs, and promoted the holistic development of his students.
In April 2022, Oleksandr Lobanov joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served as a reconnaissance soldier in the anti-aircraft artillery section of the security platoon in the anti-aircraft missile division of one of the military units. His colleagues and the parents of his students organized collections of necessary items for the defender, and Alexander constantly received support in the form of motivational messages and videos from his students.
The loss of Oleksandr is a heavy blow to his family, students, and the community. He was laid to rest in his hometown of Synelnykove.
Eternal memory to the hero!