Defending Ukraine from Russian occupiers, 29-year-old athlete Serhiy Melnychenko, a native of the village of Hattne in Kyiv Oblast, was killed.
In 2011-2012, he completed his compulsory military service in the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a firefighter, earning the rank of “senior soldier.” From 2013, Serhiy served under contract in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv as a firefighter-rescuer. He participated in the defense of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2017-2018. In the final years of his service, he was part of the Special Operations Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine, military unit 3057.
Serhiy was a professional athlete, excelling in track and field, running, Muay Thai, boxing, freestyle wrestling, and football, playing for the Hattne village team FC “Patriot.” He earned 31 awards in running competitions, including marathons, half-marathons, and ultramarathons.
He was killed while defending the city of Mariupol at the Azovstal plant. He left behind a wife and a young daughter.
By decree of the President of Ukraine, dated April 2, 2022, No. 202/2022 “On the Awarding of State Decorations of Ukraine,” Serhiy Mykhailovych Melnychenko was posthumously awarded the Order of “For Courage” III degree for his personal bravery, selfless actions in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, loyalty to the military oath, and exemplary performance of his service duties.